Plate 83. 
NEW EANCY PELARGONIUMS. 
Pelargonium hybridum , var. 
In a late number, when speaking of the classes into which the 
Pelargonium had been arranged by florists, we alluded to what 
are called Fancies as one of them. Why they should have been 
so designated it is difficult to say, but they constitute a very 
distinct class, and add considerably to the variety of the home- 
stage and the exhibition-table. 
There is something even in the growth and foliage of this 
class which at once marks them as distinct. They are much more 
compact, the leaves much smaller, and, we may add, they are 
more delicate in constitution than the show and spotted kinds, 
thriving better in a warmer house, and being impatient of 
damp, both at the foliage and at the roots, hence it becomes 
necessary to be particular not to overpot them; abundant 
drainage should be given, and a compost of a lighter and 
more porous character should be used than that given to the 
show varieties. During the dark winter months of November, 
December, and January, water should be rather sparingly ap¬ 
plied. Attention to these rules will enable those who desire 
to grow a few amongst their other kinds to overcome any dif¬ 
ficulties attendant on their growth. 
Like all other florists’ flowers, there has been a gradual pro¬ 
gress towards perfection in them, in colour, size, and substance, 
for some years past, and those who remember the varieties ex¬ 
hibited a few years ago, and compare them with the two beau¬ 
tiful kinds now figured, will at once perceive this; and although 
it may be some time before we are enabled to see them exhi¬ 
bited in such size as the older varieties, yet we are confident 
that they will ultimately replace many of those now esteemed 
as favourite flowers. 
