ON THE CULTIVATION OF FANCT PELAEGONIUMS. 
continued, though with graduallj' d im i n ishing intensity, to present a similai- phenomenon, when the 
flower finally faded. 
" Another blossom ha-s-ing appeared shortly after, I adopted many precautions which should enable 
me to watch its progress. I procm-cd a very dehcate thermometer, applied it accui-ately to the most 
sensible parts of the flower ; and protected the bulb by folds of flannel ft-om the influence of the cii'- 
cumambient atmosphere, and by a pm-ple shade fi-om the rays of the sun. Another thermometer was 
suspended in the stove, not far from the plant, to give the temperature of the stove. For six days a 
sti-iking increase of heat took place in the flower, attaining its maximum about 4 p.m., and totally ceasinn- 
during the night and early morning. The greatest difference between the temperature of the flower, 
and the general atmosjjhere of the stove, was 11 degrees; and, as in the fii'st blossom examined, so 
the centi-al portion of the club of abortive stamens, was the part wliich exliibited the heat most 
powerfully ; next the base of that club, and then the stamens which were fei-tUe."* 
The Colocasia odorata is a native of Pegu; is a fi-ee-growing plant mider cultivation, andrequii-cs 
l^lenty of room both for its roots and leaves; the latter, indeed, it is which gives to the plant its ti'uly 
noble aspect. 
» N'ouv. Ann. dc Aluseiim, <VSi$t. Nat., vol. iii 
ON THE CULTIVATION OF FANCY PELARGONIUJUS. 
By Mn. HENEY ROSIER, Brookland's Nuksert, BLACKHii,i.Tn. 
ICTIHE class of fancy Pelargoniums having now become almost universal favourites, a fewremarks on their 
11 cultivation may not be out of place. It is but a few years since we had only Queen Victoria, raised 
by Ml-. Sheppard, of Wmchester, with a continental variety or two, such as Jehu, Anais, Ibrahim 
Pacha, &c. ; all of which are very pretty, and reflect great credit on oiu- continental brethi'en, who are 
ever on the alert to produce novelties ; but these are now sui'passed by the indefatigable perseverance 
and skill of om' English florists, who, within the last year' or two, have been most assiduous in 
hybridising, and have produced many fii-st-rate and showy varieties. We are much indebted to Mr. 
Ambrose, and also to Mr. Gaines, of Battersea, for many of the best which were most creditably shown 
by those gentlemen last season. That these flowers will long continue to be favourites, I think there 
cannot be any doubt, as, if properly managed, they will continue to flower throughout the whole year, 
imparting, with their hxmdi-eds of gay, many-colom-ed blossoms, a charming and most Kvely appeai'ance 
to the greenhouse thi'ough the dreary winter months. 
There are several kinds which deserve especial notice for these properties, such as Jenny Lind 
(Ambrose's), Anais, Faii-y Queen (Ambrose's), Alboni (Henderson's), Lady Rivers, &o. ; though, I 
doubt not, the whole of the varieties in cidtivation would do so mider proper management. Quercifolia 
superba, a bright scarlet-flowered, oak -leaved variety, deserves a place in every collection, however 
select, bemg most desirable, either for the bouquet or flower-garden, for which it is admirably 
adapted ; as, indeed, are mostl)f the other varieties, being of dwarf habit and most profuse bloomers. 
It is my opinion, from the practice I have had in hybridising, that there is yet a wide field open for 
the florist to work in, by crossing the Cape varieties with the fancy ones, as many of the Cape species 
are rich in their colours, and varied in then- fohage. 
There was a very singular hybrid exlubited last season at the Horticultui-al Society's Garden at 
Chiswick, under the name of Ambrosiana, said to be a cross between Campylea laciniata and a fancy 
variety, probably Anais, and to which was awai'ded a silver medal, as a new and distinct variety. 
Let us, then, hope, that enterprising florists will take them in hand, and give us more novelties. 
In conclusion, I would offer a few remarks on the gi'owth and winter flowering of these plants. 
Should they be required for exhibition, it is necessary that strong plants should be selected to grow 
through the following season. When once started for this pm-pose, great care should be taken in 
potting from one sized pot to another, as soon as the pot is fuU of roots ; and to encoui-age fiee growth, 
a rich soil is indispensable. I have found the foUowdng mixtui'e answer well : — 
Two baiTows of good tarfy loam ; — Epping I have found the best. 
One barrow of leaf mould. 
One ditto of weU-decomposed cow-dung, ■s\itli a good portion of silver sand. 
Drain well with potsherds broken small, and charcoal in moderate-sized pieces. After a summer's fi'ce 
