JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 12, 1881. ] 
373 
Bev. H. B. Biron says, “ One word of parting advice. There is 
an enemy which you must meet in the early spring ; worse than 
mildew, worse than aphis, worse than sawfly, worse than Bose 
beetle, worse than ants—yes, worse than all these together ; and 
that is the bud-worm. Search for him carefully : he does his 
mischief silently but so surely.” And in a letter I had from him 
the other day he says, “Fine weather for the caterpillars ! I 
killed fifty of the little beggars on two plants of Le Havre, and 
doubtless there are more left; ” and from other quarters I have 
had notice of the abundance of this enemy, so now is the time to 
make the onslaught. They are very tiny at present, and arc the 
more easily killed.—D., Deal. 
PINK ZONAL PELARGONIUMS. 
The abundant flowers of the magnificent variety Lady Sheffield 
have been well described as possessing a combination of violet, 
purple, and pink hues. Its trusses are very large, and so freely 
produced that the plants when in bloom are literally masses of 
flowers. It merits extensive culture both for specimen plants in 
pots and for beds, where it is certain to be much liked, large 
masses of it having a singularly bold and striking effect. 
While looking lately over such pink-flowered varieties as I have 
blooming in pots, I asked my young friend, who last year chose 
Stephanotis as “the sweetest flower that blows,” to select the best 
pink Pelargonium. She soon chose Mrs. Leavers, a deep rosy 
pink of a much more cheerful tone than Lady Sheffield, and with 
such fine trusses of large handsome flowers that preference will 
probably be given it by many others. “But,” said I, putting a 
plant of my favourite, Mrs. Wright, beside it, “ surely you over¬ 
looked this ? ” “ Oh, that is lovely ! ” was the answer, followed 
by a request for the plant itself, which was eventually carried off 
to be cherished as a treasure. These three varieties were raised 
by Pearson, and they form a charming trio which I cordially 
recommend to general notice. Mrs. Wright is probably most 
valued for pot culture from the good form of its bright pink 
flowers. The trusses are of medium size, which renders them of 
especial value as cut flowers. 
From several other varieties Parnassus may be selected as 
possessing distinct and striking characteristics. It is of the 
Nosegay type, has abundant large trusses of deep pink narrow- 
petalled flowers, is of a compact bushy habit of growth, and has 
handsome well-marked foliage, all which render it worthy to 
take rank among our best bedding varieties. 
All these are infinitely superior to our old friend Christine, and 
yet it is questionable if any of them are so eagerly sought after or 
so briskly propagated as it was. When it was introduced bedding- 
out was at its zenith, and Christine was regarded as a gem of the 
first water, without which no combination of colours was com¬ 
plete. But now who would give it a second glance except those 
of us who remember that its advent marked an era in the develop¬ 
ment of its class ?— Edwaed Luckhuest. 
RANUNCULUSES. 
An extensive family of mostly showy plants, which give the 
name to the whole order. Many of them are too inconspicuous to 
find a place in cultivated ground, but even some of these in a 
state of nature are perfectly charming. As an example take the 
B. bulbosus, which we all as children have gathered handfulls, 
by the name of Buttercups, Kingscups, or Goldencups. In the 
present day, however, we have such a number of really grand 
kinds to select from, that these old and individually inferior 
forms must give place. Banunculuses are numerous and widely 
spread. Some are aquatics, and all love moist situations, although 
the alpine kinds must have good drainage, or the least stagnation 
will kill them. Little more need be said respecting their culti¬ 
vation, as it is extremely simple, and good loamy soil will suit the 
border kinds, whilst the Alpines should be planted in a mixture 
of peat, loam, and river sand. All the species are more or less 
acrid. 
R. aconitifolius .—This is a large-growing species, in good soil 
attaining a height of 2 to 3 feet, and although rather coarse is a fine 
old border plant. Its leaves are palmately divided ; lower leaves 
stalked, upper ones sessile. Stems branching, producing an abun¬ 
dance of large pure white flowers. It prefers shade. May and 
June. Alps of Europe. 
R. aconitifolkis Jlore-pleno .—An old-fashioned border plant, 
far less seen than it deserves. The flowers are not very large, but 
are very double and pure white. This variety is the “ Bouton 
d’Argent” of the French, and was well known some years ago in 
English gardens by the name of “ Fair Maids of France.” No 
garden should lack this charming and useful flower. May and 
June. Alps of Europe. 
R. acris Jlore-pleno. — The “ Boutons d’Or ” of our French 
neighbours, yellow “ Bachelor’s Buttons ” of English gardens, is 
a double-flowered form of an English species plentiful in all 
pastures. It grows about 2 feet high, and the flowers are ex¬ 
tremely useful for cutting, forming a pretty contrast with the 
pure white of the preceding variety. May to July. Britain. 
R. alpestris. —A dwarf neat species, which must be placed on 
some sheltered spot in the rock garden where it is not liable to be 
overrun with coarser-growing plants ; but it should be so placed 
that it is exposed to the sun during some portion of the day. It 
usually attains a height of 3 to I inches, and becomes tufted. Leaves 
stalked, roundish, and deeply three-lobed, colour deep shining 
green. Flowers mostly solitary and pure white. April and May. 
Native of Tyrol and various other mountainous parts of Europe. 
R. amplcxicaulis. —A very distinct and handsome plant, usually 
about 12 inches high. Leaves entire, ovate lanceolate in shape, 
the bases clasping the stem. Scape much branched, which, to¬ 
gether with the Deduncles, are quite smooth. Flowers pure white, 
in some varieties stained with yellow towards the base. April 
and May. Alps of Europe. The woodcut represents a spray 
from a plant of this species growing on the rockery at Chiswick, 
where its large white flowers are very freely produced, and are 
very attractive. These are also useful for cutting, as they remain 
in good condition for a much longer period than the majority of 
single-flowered Banunculuses, and wherever simple flowers are 
appreciated the plant should be grown. 
R. asintievs .—This species has received the attention of the 
hybridiser, and its varieties have become florist flowers, the 
beauty of which it is scarcely possible to adequately describe. 
Although not suitable for the rock garden we could not pass 
them by in silence, because if planted in clumps in the border 
