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THE TRAINING OF THE PELARGONIUM. 
quently, close on one another, they frequently split in two, three, four, together from the hase to the 
summit, forming; thus small capsules, with two, three, or four stigmatic rays, which come much nearer 
the normal capsule. It often happens, also, that ordinary stamens are joined to those which are 
metamorphosed. The above experiments are susceptible of being repeated with new modifications, 
and the subject, so far from being exhausted, promises interesting discoveries in science. A fact well 
established, is that the monstrosity in question is perpetuated from seeds during two generations, and 
ought, perhaps, to receive as a distinctive title, the name of Papaver officinale, var. monstrosum. The 
preservation of a plant so singular and interesting is worthy of all the care of horticulturists. 
THE TRAINING OF THE PELARGONIUM* 
W T the metropolitan exhibitions there are few things which excite more surprise among the unin- 
tX!\ itiated in gardening matters than the training of Pelargoniums, and, strange as it may appear, even 
some of those who might be considered an fait in such matters, have not hesitated to confess their 
want of knowledge, for but a few years back, we heard the late Mr. M'Nab remark at Chiswick, " I 
think nothing of your Heaths, having better at home; but how those magnificent Pelargoniums are 
produced I cannot understand ;" and certainly, when we look at the small pots, and vast mass of 
foliage and flowers, it does almost appear incredible that they could be so produced ; and, great as may 
be the merit in growing a fine Heath, it is quite certain that more expense and attention is requisite 
to grow a comparatively fine specimen of Pelargonium. Those who have not tried the experiment 
will laugh at the idea of Pelargoniums requiring as much skill as Heaths ; but we have grown both, 
and consequently can speak fi'om experience ; and we are quite sure more attention for the time is 
required to grow a perfect specimen of Pelargonium than to grow a specimen Heath ; and it is rather 
remarkable that the man who may excel in the management of one plant is rarely first-rate at the 
other. In fact, hard-wooded and soft-wooded plants require treatment entirely distinct from each 
other ; the first requires time and attention, the other little time, great attention, and rich manure, for 
it is only by much nutriment and careful management in watering, by seeing the plants receive suffi- 
cient, and yet are never glutted, that success in the management of soft-wooded plants can be rendered 
certain. If larger pots were allowed, less attention would be required, but merit would decrease in the 
same proportion, and consequently small pots are preferred. "We all know that a Heath or any other 
hard-wooded plant with its indurated foliage, and comparatively small respiratory powers, or surface, 
cannot require so much aqueous support as a Pelargonium, but yet they are generally grown in 
larger pots, and consequently in larger masses of soil. How is this ? Let those who have their manage- 
ment enquire, and we have no doubt the investigation will repay the trouble. 
Various plans have been recommended for training the Pelargonium, and doubtless the low bushes 
generally seen are not of the most elegant form that could be conceived, but possibly they are the most 
suitable, and hence necessity, our great preceptor, has compelled us to adopt that form. Anything 
however, is better than the long leggy formless things we used to see, and which in some places are 
seen even at the present day. The pyramidal form would certainly be the best, but nature rebels 
against it, and it is found impossible to get plants equally covered with bloom, or of equal growth. It 
is well known that the sap of a plant in its progress rises always to the most vertical point, and that in 
consequence it is impossible to get equal growth over the whole surface of the plant ; for pinch, top, 
depress, or do what you will, the flow will still be upwards, and the growth must be strongest at the 
most vertical points, and there there will be bloom, while the lower branches will scarcely produce a 
flower. Even on the dwarf system of training it is found very difficult to ensure an equal distribution 
of sap, as some shoots, especially those upon the most central and vertical branches, arc always 
disposed to produce tho strongest shoots, and it is only by occasionally removing them, or tying the 
points below the level of the weaker shoots, that an equal distribution of sap and growth can be insured, 
therefore great watchfulness is necessary, and considerable practical knowledge to guide aright the 
energies of the plant. 
It is sometimes remarked that Pelargoniums require neither training nor staking, indeed there arc 
certain writers who would interdict the use of stakes altogether. Such writers, however, are more 
to be pitied than laughed at ; they belong to a race of arm-chair gardeners, who find it more 
J) convenient to teach by precept than example, and whose lucubrations are more remarkable for 
• From tho " Fancy Pelargonium," &e., by W. P. Ayrcs, CM. U.S., now in the press. 
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