112 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN'S COMPANION.— May 13, 1856. 
autumn; they should have no heat then. They will 
strike very fast in mild bottom-heat in spring. Shrubby 
varieties, for flower-beds, strike best in a shady place, 
\ under glass, after the middle of September. They will 
strike in a quarter of the time in spring, in a mild heat. 
All kinds of them grow so fast from young plants, that 
if propagated in autumn, there is little necessity for 
keeping any old stools. 
Son..—Rich, light, sandy loam grows them to per¬ 
fection. Whatever enriching agent is used, whether 
leaf-mould or old cow-dung, it must be dry and sweet. 
Four-parts of sweet fibry loam, one of sand, and one 
of flaky, dry cow-dung, or leaf-mould, will grow them 
admirably. 
General Treatment. —From the time the seeds are 
up, or the cuttings inserted, they should never be dry. 
If well drained, and in open material, there is less 
danger of damp than dryness. In all shiftings see that 
the ball is wet before giving it another pot, and use the 
aerated soil in a condition neither hot nor dry. In winter, 
they should be as near the glass as possible. In frosty 
weather, when much artificial heat is used, the plants 
should stand on a moist bottom, and frequent, gentle 
syringing over the foliage in sunny days will help them 
to a moist atmosphere. The moisture should be in 
proportion to the artificial heat. In pits and frames, 
where little or no artificial heat is given, the plants will 
be moist enough ; and if young plants, and well drained, 
and not over-potted, they will seldom suffer from damp. 
This moist standing, and moist atmosphere, are the 
great secrets for getting strong, vigorous growth that 
will throw strong, stubby flower-stems in April, May, 
and June. Small sticks, as inconspicuous as possible, 
should be used for supporting the bloom. If for home 
decorations, and plenty of air is given along with the 
moisture recommended, the flower-stalks, if the length 
j of semi-herbaceous, will need but little support. When 
I in bloom, they will be the better for a little shade. When 
; saving seed is au object, the plants should have a drier 
: atmosphere. When done flowering, those intended for 
I propagating from should be placed on the north side of 
a fence, and old flowers, &c. removed. When hand- 
I lights are not to be got, many of the semi-herbaceous 
kinds will root freely if a little very sandy soil is heaped 
up to the base of the young shoots. Every one of these 
would make a better plant next year, wintered in a four- 
inch pot, than if you took ever so much pains with the 
plant in a twelve or sixteen-inch pot. 
Disease. —I know only of one: a sort of black and 
brown leprosy, which sei/.es on the foliage, destroying the 
plant, and proving, I rather think, contagious with many 
kinds. I know of no remedy. A free circulation of air, 
and freedom from any thing like stagnant moisture, 
with an atmosphere moist rather than dry, are the best 
preventives. 
Insects. —Red Spider rarely appears, unless when the 
atmosphere is dry. Sulphur fumes from a hot-water plate 
are the remedy. Green Flies are fond of Calceolarias in 
j the extreme. Tobacco-smoke should be used whenever 
one is seen ; for there are sure to be neighbours not far 
j off. Keeping the root cool, and a free circulation of 
air, are the best preventives. 
Thrip often make their appearance when the air is 
dry; and smoke, and lashings with sulphur-water, may 
| keep them down ; but when it appears on plants of no 
great consequence it is best to get rid of them at once, 
j If a valuable kind is assailed, smoke, and syringe with 
[ soap and water, holding a little size in solution; keep 
in the shade a few days, and then syringe strongly with 
clean water chilled; remove the top soil, and fresh sur¬ 
face. This latter enemy is very bad to get rid of. 
Though the Calceolaria is impatient of much frost,* it 
requires, on the whole, less nicety than the Auricula. 
R. Fish. 
FANCY PELARGONIUMS. . 
There is a decided difference between what are called 
show Pelargoniums, and those named fancy Pelargo¬ 
niums. The characters of the former are well known, 
but the latter are not so well defined or understood. Pre¬ 
viously to giving a list of the best twelve new ones, now 
being, as the phrase is, let out, and twelve of the best 
older varieties, I have thought it desirable to give a few 
brief points of what florists' consider the true charac¬ 
teristics of a fancy variety. 
Form. — The first property I shall describe is the 
most important one—Form. It is now a rule, that 
in this class more especially, the five petals of which ! 
the flower is composed, should be of an equal size 
and form—a perfect circle, as flat as possible. Each 
petal should be quite smooth at the edges. Each truss j 
should be compact, and should have, at, least, five 
flowers. The stem should be short, and stout enough 
to bear the truss firmly above the foliage. 
Colour. —The ground-colour of the upper petals 
should be clear, full, and distinct. Black is the most 
striking, though a rich rose is perfectly admissible. 
The margin should also be well defined, and should be 
pure white. The three lower petals should have the 
ground-colour of a pure clear white, with either a well- 
defined spot of black, or rose, or a band of the same 
colour, running nearly across each petal. Feathering j 
from these colours has hitherto been allowed, but then 
the stripes should be perfectly distinct. The most 
perfect flowers, however, are such as have no feathering 
at all, but have the spots clear set upon the ground- j 
colour distinct and separate. The upper petals should 
be perfectly alike, and also the three lower ones, in their 
markings, size, and form. 
The Haett. —The plant should he dwarf and compact. 
The foliage neat, with short stems, and smaller than the 
show varieties. The flowers should be abundant, stand¬ 
ing well above the foliage, and continue long in flower. 
Such are the allowed and necessary properties now 
understood by florists’ as constituting a first-rate fancy 
Pelargonium, and all the following have more or less of 
these properties. 
Twelve New Selected Fancy Pelargoniums. 
1. Beaut g of Slough (Turner).—Deep, bright rosy- 
crimson, margined with white, white centre ; fine form 
and substance; edges very smooth. 
2. Bridesmaid(Tmner). —Delicate pale lavender, edged 
with white; good form and habit. A distinct, new 
colour. A fine show flower. 
3. Dulce of Cambridge (Henderson). — Rich violet- 
crimson, light centre, white margin; good form and 
habit. 
4. Evening Star (Henderson). — Very remarkable 
purple ground-colour, margined with white, with clear - 
white centre; very good form and substance, edges very 
smooth; extra fine. 
5. La Stella (Henderson). — Distinct and novel. 
Deep maroon-crimson self, laced with white, and clear 
white centre; very dwarf habit, with a good shape 
and substance. 
0. Masterpiece (Turner).—Rich purple-maroon; upper- 
petals edged with lilac; under petals spotted Aitli 
mulberry ; light centre and true form. 
7. Moonlight (Henderson). — Delicate rose, finely 
edged with white; lower petals distinctly spotted with 
rose; large, pure white throat; form and substance 
good ; very dwarf habit. A very fine varieLy. 
8. Ne Plus Ultra (Turner).—Purplish-claret suffused 
with violet; light margin, fine form, and robust habit. 
A fine show flower. 
9. Prima Donna (Turner). — Upper petals violet- 
purple, margined with white; lower petals pure white, 
