98 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ May, 
to make during tlie last few years to our collections of Peaches and Nectarines 
especially. Tlie acquisitions amongst early and late varieties are particularly valu¬ 
able ; and of that which we now figure Dr. Hogg remarks, u This will prove 
one of the best, as it is one of the largest late Peaches.”—M. 
ON PELARGONIUMS.—No. III. 
COME next to the class I propose calling “ Decorative,” and to include in it 
JL Ml Hie varieties at present known as u Nosegays,” and those which through 
cross-breeding of the u Nosegays ” and “ Zonals” have assumed an indefinite 
type, which renders their position under the present recognized classification 
uncertain ; a class, as the title indicates, for varieties adapted to conservatory 
decoration. I look upon the w Nosegay ” or semi-nosegay as the legitimate type 
of this class, and am of opinion that in raising new varieties our aim should be to 
improve their qualifications for decorative purposes; and to discard all inferior 
specimens. 
Taking this view of the subject, I assume that size of truss, abundant 
blossom, and brilliancy of colour are the most essential qualities required to 
constitute a standard of perfection in this class. 
A perfect truss must in all cases mainly depend upon persistency of petal. 
As regards the form of petal in this class, there are many who maintain that an 
elongated and narrow petal is best adapted to the “ Nosegay ” truss. Where the 
petals are broad, and the pips very numerous, it requires great length of foot¬ 
stalk to keep them from encroaching upon one another, and giving the truss a 
crowded and disorderly appearance. To present an attractive object, the foliage 
and habit of the plant must harmonize in character with that of the truss and 
petal. A compact, prim-habited plant with circular foliage, is not, in my opinion, 
adapted to the large truss of elongated petals ; for instance the magnificent pink 
truss of Christine Nosegay would be far'more effective upon a plant of freer habit, 
with regular foliage. 
It. would be difficult to depict, or lay down, a precise standard of perfection 
forjudging of varieties as objects of u attractiveness ” and u display,” as much 
must necessarily depend upon taste, and be consequently open to diversity of 
opinion. But there is no difficulty in enumerating many varieties possessing 
trusses of enormous dimensions with gorgeous colours, justly entitling them to 
the designation of “ Decorators.” In Mr. Gr. Smith’s Masterpiece , Grand Duke , 
Lizzie , and Eclat , Mr. Turner’s Duchess of Sutherland and Ladp Constance 
Grosvenor , we possess six distinct varieties, brilliant in colour, in combination 
with trusses of prodigious size, and effective foliage, which can fairly be said to 
be capable of holding their place amongst decorative plants of any genus. 
The next class, that of u Doubles," I consider belongs to the decorative order 
also ; but here the distinctive quality of flower entitles them to form a class by 
themselves, and they seem destined to occupy a commanding position amongst 
