MARCH. 
61 
only one of the primary colours—namely, red. Why, therefore, it should 
supersede the Chrysanthemum when primary colours are required I am at 
a loss to imagine, especially when, in addition to the above-named varieties, 
we have such gems as Rifleman, Sparkler, Queen of England, Prince of 
Wales, Princess Marie, Prince Alfred, Novelty, Hermione, Her Majesty, 
White Globe, Garibaldi, Abbe Passaglia, Beverley, Alfred Salter, General 
Slade, Dupont de l’Eure, Lord Clyde, Pio Nono, and Nonpariel. These, by 
judicious arrangement, may be made to afford a varied, brilliant, and har¬ 
monious display from the early part of October till some time in January. 
I do not wish to be understood as objecting to the cultivation of Zonal 
Pelargoniums for winter decoration, as I use them myself on a small scale 
with much advantage; but to let them displace the Chrysanthemum 
entirely would, in my opinion, be unwise, for besides not affording so brilliant 
a display in winter, the different varieties of Pelargonium figure con¬ 
spicuously for such a length of time during the summer and autumn, that 
to cultivate them exclusively for winter decoration would be producing that 
excessive domination which Mr. Cramb so much objects to, and I suppose 
he does not wish to exclude Pelargoniums from our list of plants for summer 
and autumn display. I trust, therefore, he will give the Chrysanthemum 
another trial. To enable him to do this I shall be happy to give him a few 
cuttings that I can confidently recommend; and he will find my simple 
method of culture in the Florist and Pomologist for December, 1865. 
In conclusion, I will add one more Pelargonium to Mr. Cramb’s list of 
those suitable for winter work—namely, Excellent (Smith), which is admir¬ 
ably adapted for the purpose, as plants of it that I struck early in August 
were in full bloom in December. 
Crabwood , near Southampton. J. C. Higgs. 
HOW TO GROW THE TUBEROSE. 
The fragrant Tuberose, the Polianthes tuberosa of botanists, of which both 
single and double varieties occur, was originally introduced from India. It 
is very generally called the “ Italian Tuberose,” simply from the fact that 
we are indebted to Italy for large supplies of most excellent tubers, which 
are annually imported from thence. The Italians propagate the Tuberose 
in large quantities, and, aided by their beautiful and salubrious climate, 
they are enabled to grow the tubers to a well-developed state, far beyond 
that attainable in our own variable climate, even with the utmost attention. 
Indeed, could better success be ensured here, it would scarcely repay the 
necessary time and trouble, so low is the rate at which they are retailed— 
namely, from 3s. to 4s. per dozen. 
No other plant possesses a fragrance more grateful to the senses than 
that of the Tuberose ; and as the crudest loam alone, added to treatment 
the most simple, is required in order to grow and flower them perfectly, I 
consider them worthy of a far greater amount of attention than they 
receive, for they are alike suited to gratify the amateur of the humblest 
means, and to diffuse a grateful fragrance throughout the most costly 
drawing-room. 
The tubers should be procured as soon as possible after their impor¬ 
tation, which has generally taken by the month of March. They are to be 
placed at once for a week or two in a rather close warm place, and if it be 
moderately moist so much the better. This, besides advancing them a 
stage in their efforts to emit fresh roots, will also be useful in showing 
