THE PELARGONIUM. 
181 
A COMPLETE TREATISE ON THE PELARGONIUM, OR 
GERANIUM. 
It has been tritely remarked, that the true value of a thing 
cannot be more accurately estimated than by its reception among 
the uninterested. The assertion is not likely to receive unqua¬ 
lified assent, but the force with which it applies to the family of 
plants under consideration is indeed worthy of note. The popu¬ 
larity of the Pelargonium exceeds that of any other plant, not 
even excepting the elegant and varied Fuchsia, and to point to a 
probable rival would be difficult, unless, indeed, it be that queen 
of flowers, the lovely rose. But here a difficulty intervenes: 
roses cannot be multiplied so fast, and, consequently, are more 
expensive; and besides, though the blossoms of the latter are 
perhaps all that can be wished, the general appearance of the 
pelargonium at all seasons of the year must be acknowledged as 
infinitely superior, both in outline and detail—the moderated 
graceful vigour, if we may so speak, of its branches, the pleasing 
tender green of its ample foliage, its rapid progress, and the 
facility with which it may be managed, are so many advantages 
almost exclusively belonging to it; and, in addition, there is that 
incalculable one offered in the production of seminal varieties, in 
which the rose in our climate can scarcely be said to participate, 
that it is by no means surprising it should occupy so prominent 
a position, and hence a good reason for the repeated notices which 
the genus obtains through every medium open to the conveyance 
of information on such a subject. Volumes have been, and may 
still be written without entrenchment or exhaustion of the theme ; 
for so long as it is possible to originate varieties, so long will 
the interest attached to the pursuit continue unabated. But as 
the intention of the present paper is rather to condense into a 
useful form the varied practice of those who excel in the culti¬ 
vation of this favorite flower, so as to place the beginner in pos¬ 
session of the experience of his predecessors, than to enlarge on 
its acknowledged claims, or to speculate on the ultimate perfec¬ 
tion it may probably reach, the deserved encomium is passed by, 
and the means by which the pains-taking cultivator may attain 
celebrity, and at the same time elevate the position of his adopted 
favorites, will be proceeded with at once. 
