A PLEA FOR PYRAMIDAL PELARGONIUMS. 
and enliglited mind derives pleasure, from outward contemplation and inward reflection ; and learns, 
in the midst of its admiration, 
" To look on Natm'e with a humble heart, 
Self-questioned where it does not imderstand. 
And with a superstitious eye of love." 
A PLEA FOR PYRAMIDAL PELARGONIUMS. 
By Mr. GEORGE M'EWEN, Gardener to the Duke or Kokfolk. 
PRESUMING that we shall have gained an important point, if we can satisfy our readers that the 
form of training which we recommend is worthy of imitation, we deem it expedient, before entering 
upon the practieabihty of the subject, to show that variety of form is desu-able ; not that we wish, or 
expect, to see the present dwarf form abandoned. No : but only that another form, viz., the pyi'a- 
midal should be introduced. We are prepared to show that it is not less natural, practicable, nor 
is it less appropriate, than the dwarf, squat form; 
and that it will much increase the beauty and interest 
of a collection of these plants as a whole, and would add 
largely to the number of admii-crs and growers of the 
Pelargonimn, if this form of growth were to be gene- 
rally introduced. 
Because of the delight which variety of form pro- 
duces, pyramidal training is desu-able. Who is not 
fond of variety ? Let us go and look upon yon forest — 
scan the fields — glance at the wild-ilowers and plants 
by the highways and byways — take a grand sm-vey 
of the vegetable creation ; — or, if you choose, let us 
confine our range, and take the same species or vari- 
eties, and have them each shorn of theu' now vai'ied 
forms, and then say if they have not lost more than 
half then- beauty and interest by the change. Now, 
all we plead for is, that we should not pay exclusive 
attention to one — the dwai'f — form; but that we should 
grow the tall form also. 
Anotlier inducement we would urge in favour of 
the p3'ramidal training, is novelty. To tell gardeners 
that anything new gives increase of interest, and oft- 
times pleasurable excitement, is to repeat what they must have constantly observed. Indeed, much of the 
success of gardening may be traced to, if it does not altogether, depend upon thus giving an agreeable 
excitement. 
Another and yet more important inducement, we would m'go, is their utility, or adaptation to 
almost any situation. Yes; you can place them with effect, whether in or out of bloom, on the 
centre, or side stages, where the sun, light, and air, may play freely upon them ; or you can lodge them on 
circular hoops of iron or brackets, in a hall or stau'case, as represented in the woodcut. How much, 
too, would they enliven the tameness of the Pelargonium house as it is ; or, where they are still more at 
home — yet greater favom'ites — in those large conservatories, where you can walk past, and around 
them, and feel as if in a garden. Again ; decorative objects are perchance wanted for special occasions — 
none will be found so suitable as the pjTamids for centre-pins in the group of flower-stands, or baskets ; 
whilst as pillars in the entrance-hall, or by the corridor, or as beautiful plants for the table, they are 
equally appropriate. 
Again ; tliey will " fit in" to any style of gardening, whether geometrical or gardenesque ; in rows 
by the straight walk — singly on the smooth lawn and in the di'cssed border at intervals, or as a centre 
plant in the mass of coloiu' ; — hj tm-ns relieving, surprising, and always greatly pleasing. And who 
can doubt, that, in the time coming, — when a yet higher standard, and a piu'er taste, is exemphfied in 
the arrangements of om- exliibitions, — oui' pyi'amidal-formed plants will be there, and so managed as to 
bear a thorough inspection — when no stakes nor glaring artificial props need be theii's — while the 
admitted dull miiformity of the collections in the Geranium tents will have passed away, to be no 
fc longer tolerated. 
J^ If we have done justice to om- subject, we have succeeded in showing that om- pyramidal Pelargo- 
