May G. 
COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION. 
07 
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out like a wire, while lengthening downwards in roots : 
will proceed slowly. Place a bell-glass over the pot 
when plunged, when the foliage is dry ; in the course of 
twenty-four hours tilt up the glass a quarter-of-an-inch 
on one side at night, put it close down next morning, 
and only shade when the sun gains power, so that the 
cuttings may have all the light, morning and evening, 
and only he shaded in the brightest hours. Tilt up the 
back of the frame at night, also, a-quarter-of-an-inch, or . 
so. The cuttings will thus be kept sturdy, and the 
bottom-heat will cause rooting to take place before the 
tops think of lengthening. The frame may be syringed 
inside in the afternoon, without moving the glasses, at I 
first, and this will secure a moist atmosphere, which 
enables the leaves to absorb as much as they perspire. ; 
I have spoken of a bell-glass for illustration, but for 
such things they are not necessary. Iu such a bed, with 
the cuttings two feet from the glass, the shading neces¬ 
sary would only be required in the heat of the day. 
The frame should be kept close in the day, and a few 
dustings from the syringe would keep the atmosphere 
moist, and force the leaves to absorb as well as perspire. 
A little air at night, giving it earlier in the evening, and 
keeping it longer on in the morning, by degrees, will ^ 
keep the cuttings robust and healthy. 1 am supposing 
that there is a sufficiency of bottom-heat. I know of 
no means for economising labour, in this respect, equal 
to placing tire cuttings at a distance from the glass, pro¬ 
portioned to the strength of the sun’s rays, and thus 
giving the cuttings unobstructed diffused light, instead 
of shaded direct light. The rooting proceeds faster, and 
the tops are less drawn and blanched. R. Fish. 
P.S.—In raising seedlings in such a bed, it is a safe 
plan to have a square of glass to place over the pot, and | 
to have the soil for the seeds at least one inch from the 
vim of the pot. The plants may thus be strong enough 
to remove for pricking out before the square of glass is 
finally removed, and insects, &c., can less easily annoy ' 
them. 
SELECT FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
A considerable number of our correspondents 
having written for information on the above subject, 
particularly wishing to know what there are on sale 
that are worth having, to add to their stock, I have de¬ 
termined to give a select list of twelve of the best new 
varieties, and twelve of the best old ones, thus guiding 
them in their choice, as far as my knowledge and ex¬ 
perience extends. Mr. Keynes, the eminent grower and 
raiser of Dahlias, has already given a good list of that 
fine autumnal flower in a late number of The Cottage 
Gardener, and our esteemed friend, Mr. Beaton, has 
taken the Chrysanthemum under his fostering care, so 
I need not trouble our readers with any lists of those 
kinds of florists’ flowers. I shall commence with 
PELARGONIUMS. 
Twelve New Show Varieties. 
1. Amazon (Foster).—Bright scarlet-crimson, with 
rich maroon spot on the top petals. A very free-bloom¬ 
ing variety, requires to be grown in rich soil, and the 
first flowers nipped off. It flowers so freely that the 
plant is much weakened thereby. Tf all the flower-buds 
are allowed to remain, and open, the plant will be ex¬ 
hausted early in the season. This variety obtained the 
silver medal at the Regent’s Park, as the best scarlet 
seedling, last July. 
2. Eva (Hoyle). — Avery distinct variety, such a 
flower as will please the most, fastidious amateur. The 
bloom has a white centre, with the lower petals of a 
bright rose colour. The top petals are margined with 
the same colour, with a bright orange ground, and 
black rayed spot. A bright, lovely flower. Obtained a 
first-class certificate at the National Floricultural Society 
last year. 
3. Evelyn (Beck). — Pure white ground, with rosy- 
purple blotch on the upper petals; good form, free 
bloomer, and excellent habit. A good show flower. 
4. Juliet (Dobson).—This variety is of a new and 
distinct colour. The lower petals are of a pale purple, 
mottled with plum colour; top petals purplish-maroon 
blotch, with a narrow margin of purple. The form is 
good, habit excellent, and it is a free bloomer. 
5. Leopard (Hoyle).—As the name imparts, this is a 
spotted flower. Colour deep rosy - orange, with dark 
maroon spots on every petal. 
G. Meteora (Foster). — A smooth-edged, well-formed 
flower. Ground colour very bright orange-scarlet, with 
a rich dark spot on the upper petals. Has obtained 
several prizes as a seedling. A striking variety, either 
for the greenhouse stage or for exhibition purposes. 
7. Mrs. White (White).—Raised by — White, Esq, 
of Braintree, in Essex. A new candidate for seedling 
honours. This variety is a very firm flower, with the 
lower petals of a bright rose. The upper petals have a 
dark maroon clouded blotch, a great improvement on 
Enchantress. The flowers open well, bloom freely, con¬ 
tinuing good throughout the season. Very attractive 
and striking. 
8. Pallas (Hoyle).—White centre ; lower petals bright 
rose; upper petals bright orange-red, with a black spot 
margined with rose; free bloomer, and constant. Ob¬ 
tained several prizes as a seedling last year. 
0. Prince of Wales (Foster).—Clear white centre; 
cherry-rose lower petals ; rosy-crimson uppor petals ; with 
a very dark blotch in the centre. A large, bold flower, 
of good form and substance. Obtained a certificate at 
the Regent’s Park Exhibition. 
10. Rosa Mundi (Beck).—Very distinct from any 
other variety. Lower petals bright rosy-purple; upper 
petals purplish-maroon, with a clouded blotch, shading 
oft’ to crimson-purple. Form excellent; flowers firm ; 
habit good, and a free bloomer. 
11. Sultan (Dobson).—A very rich flower. Lower 
petals bright crimson; upper petals margined with 
the same colour round a dark maroon blotch. A free 
bloomer. Form good, and habit excellent. 
12. The Clipper (Foster).—Upper petals black, with 
a broad margin of crimson; lower petals bright 
crimson, approaching to scarlet. A rich flower, of good 
form and habit. 
Prices from 21s. to 31s. Gd. 
Twelve Older Select Varieties. 
1. Cloth of Gold (Foster).—A bright, showy flower. 
A free bloomer. Dark maroon upper petals, with a 
scarlet margin ; lower petals orange-scarlet. 
2. Conqueror (Beck).—A smooth, constant flower, 1 
with crimson-scarlet lower petals. The upper petals are | 
margined with the same colour round a large blotch of [ 
purplish-crimson. Good form, free bloomer, and ex¬ 
cellent habit. 
3. Conqueror (Gaines). — Brilliant scarlet ground \ 
colour, with a dark crimson spot on the upper petals. [ 
A great acquisition to-its class. 
4. Eugenia (Hoyle ).—A spotted flower, that is, each 
petal is of a bluish colour, with a dark spot in the ’ 
centre. Good form and habit. 
5. Fair Ellen (Story).—A desirable novelty, of good i 
quality. Lower petals white, dark blotch of maroon on j 
the upper petals, tinged with carmine, shaded off to the j 
margin with pure rich carmine, surrounded with a well- j 
defined belt of pure white. Smooth edges, free bloomer j 
and dwarf habit. 
G. Lord Cardigan (Turner).—A dark variety, with j 
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