170 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
who send them out. We want to see an improvement and a decided difference. 
In some of the new kinds of variegated Geraniums we have this. Italia Unita 
is the best of the White Variegated section, with pink zone, and will not soon 
be beaten. In the Gold-coloured section Mrs. Pollock will hold its place, still 
Lucy Grieve is rather better. Out of doors Sunset is the brightest in the Red- 
zoned. Some of Henderson’s Fuchsias are very fine, especially Lucrezia 
Borgia, which is unusually large; and Charming, Oberon, II Trovatore, and 
Sunshine will be universally grown. 
At Pine Apple Place some good specimen ornamental plants are now to be 
seen; and amongst novelties one of the most striking is the variegated form 
of Gardenia florida, a really fine variegated plant, which will find its way into 
many collections for exhibition. 
At Mr. Veitch’s nursery I noticed Dracsena Cooperi, a handsome drooping 
variety of D. terminalis; Eurya latifolia variegata, a handsome variegated 
Japanese plant; Pteris serrulata cristata, a new Fern which will please every¬ 
body; and Lilium auratum, which will be eagerly sought after when its 
beauties are better known. 
Mr. Bull is devoting much attention to softwooded plants, and some of his 
new zonale Geraniums are good, particularly Marvel, Clipper, Erin-go-bragh, 
Provost, Glitter, Faust, Achilles, Lucius, Rosamond, Fancy, Striking, Celestial, 
Brilliancy, and Eve. Fuchsia Blue Beauty is a good double variety; and 
Pelargoniums International, Viceroy of Egypt, and Princeps are really good. 
Mr. Bull has some very pretty Petunias, and, in single kinds, Ernani, His¬ 
torical, Etoile de Martin (truly a gem), Rigoletto, and Nemesis are fine and 
distinct. In doubles Irresistible and Pluton are two acquisitions. Lastrea 
Standishi is an acquisition in Ferns for exhibition; and I think that, as really 
fine new ornamental plants are so scarce, we shall welcome Dieffenbachia 
Baranquini, with its silvery stem and footstalks, as an exhibition plant. 
I have also had an opportunity of tasting some of Mr. Standish’s new 
seedling Grapes not yet sent out, and for one of these, named by Dr. Hogg 
the “ Royal Black,” I venture to predict a brilliant career as a keeper. I think 
none will equal it; but there are other fine points of character about it to 
recommend it, but, of course, we shall see and hear more about it in a year or 
two. I have also tasted Charlotte Rothschild Pine, in company with three of 
our best judges of fruit, and say of this, that it is the Pine par excellence. The 
flavour is most delicious, and the flesh as melting as a Peach, leaving nothing 
in the mouth but the most delicious aroma. 
D. W. 
SPRING BEDDING. 
Very appropriate were the remarks of “ Maybush” in your last Number, 
referring to the subject of a new addition to our early spring flowers, and 
expressing his regret at the late blooming of the beautiful Cheiranthus, as no 
doubt this Wallflower will bloom at least three weeks earlier than the other. 
I am certain this is only the forerunner of a great many new or interesting 
plants suitable for early-blooming purposes. I should not have troubled you 
but for some of these remarks coinciding so much with our experience on 
spring bedding, and commencing at the proper time for providing against the 
autumn transplanting. 
Many parties are deterred from attempting anything in the way of spring 
bedding by the idea of the great labour attending it. There is no doubt of 
this being the case at first; but a* they get used to double shifting, and laying 
