92 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
laume], and one Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat. There were twelve Barbaros- 
sas, but one was cut away last season to accommodate Mrs. Pince’s variety. 
Now I find that Muscat Hamburgh will not bang-like any of the others 
mentioned above, and should not be planted with such kinds. It shows 
fine bunches and sets freely, but it requires cutting ere Christmas arrives, 
and soon changes into good Muscatels. The race for keeping seems to be 
with Lady Downe’s and Barbarossa; they are at present [Feb. 14], fresh, 
well coloured, and with that fine bloom which alone characterises Grapes fit 
for the dinner or exhibition table, but I have no doubt that Lady Downe’s 
will hang the longest yet, as the stalks of the berries appear firmer and 
stronger than those of Barbarossa. I may here just add that Barbarossa is 
much admired, and grown by my worthy employer, R. T. Crawshay, Esq. 
Burchardt’s Prince and Alicante come next, and at present they are 
much the same in appearance as regards condition, although the Prince 
cannot boast of the fine form, colour, and bloom of its neighbour. As 
regards their keeping qualities, I find them nothing like equal to Lady 
Downe’s, and Barbarossa. In December and early in January Alicante 
surpassed all others in the house for appearance, it being so well propor¬ 
tioned in every respect, but I found it giving way soon afterwards. I may 
remark that I cut Lady Downe’s on the 18tli of March last year. 
Cyfartlifci Castle Gardens , Merthyr Tydvil . John Hannan. 
VARIEGATED ZONAL PELARGONIUMS AS SPECIMENS.* 
Q'TjT G-HEN it is desirable to cultivate the Variegated Zonal Pelargoniums 
w in pots for decorative purposes, and for the purpose of exhibition, 
&c., let some of the most promising plants be selected from the 
autumn-struck cuttings, or from the plants which have been re¬ 
potted from the flower beds in October. These should be shifted 
about the middle of February into pots, one size larger than those they 
have been wintered in, and should be grown upon a stage as near the glass 
as possible, and in a temperature not lower than 45°, as a minimum. Let 
them be frequently turned round, to expose all parts of the plant alike to 
the influence of the solar light, and in order to get them properly balanced. 
Carefully avoid over-watering, and slightly syringe them on the afternoons 
of fine days. Avoid by all means placing them in a cold draught, which is 
fatal to their prosperity, and on that account it is advisable to admit no 
air as yet by the front lights. 
Early in May they may be shifted into six-inch pots, and some of the 
strongest of them into pots about 8 inches in diameter, using a somewhat 
rich soil, composed of turfy loam, enriched with a small portion of 
* From “ A History of Variegated Zonal Pelargoniums,” by Peter Grieve, Gardener to 
the Rev. E. R. Benyon, Culford Hall, Bury St. Edmunds. London : Printed for the Author. 
An excellent and thoroughly practical treatise on the production and culture of these popular 
plants. 
