May 29. 
COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION. 
WEEKLY CALENDAR. 
137 
D 
M 
D 
W 
MAY 29 —JUNE 4, 1855. 
, 
Weathernear London in 
Barometer. Thermo. Wind. 
1853. 
Rain in 
Inches. 
29 
Tu 
Whit Tuesday. K. CnAS. II. 
29 . 628 — 29.567 
58—41 
S. 
40 
30 
W 
Ember Week. [R. 1600. 
29 . 839 — 29.765 
65—36 
s.w. 
34 
31 
Th 
Telephorus melanurus. 
30.128—29.948 
1 71 — 40 
s.w. 
1 
£ 
Buprestis viridis. 
29 . 916 — 29.830 
67—50 
N.E. 
04 
2 
s 
Trachys minuta. 
29.735—29.679 
! 57—47 
N.E. 
05 
3 
Son 
Trinity Sunday. 
29 . 916 — 29.775 
60—44 
N.E. 
02 
4 
M 
Aphanisticus emarginatus. 
30.125—30.036 
62—36 
N.E. 
Sun 
Rises. 
5.3 a 3 
52 
52 
61 
50 
49 
49 
Sun 
Sets. 
VIII 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
Moon 
11. & S. 
2 41 
2 58 
rises. 
9 56 
11 1 
11 47 
morn. 
Moon’ 
Age. 
13 
14 
Clock Day of 
bf. Sun. Year. 
16 
17 
18 
19 
58 * 1 
51 
43 
34 
25 
16 
6 
149 
150 
151 
152 
153 
154 
155 
Meteorology of the Week.— At Chiswick, from observations during the last twenty-eight years, the average highest and lowest tem- 
^nTheloiL 69 ' 4 A and 4 T’ re T Ctivcly ' The K reatest heat ’ 91°. occurred on the 28fli, in ^7 f and thflowestToTd, 3^ 
on the 29 th, in 1643. During the period 124 days were fine, and on 72 rain fell. ’ ’ 
In the year 1839, when ascending Table Mountain, at 
the Cape of Good Hope, winning our way through and 
over the blocks of sandstone, and along the margin of 
the stream which serves as a guide and a path to the 
mountain’s summit, which is that stream’s birthplace, 
we arrested the footstep of a companion just as it was 
about to crush a Pelargonium, the yellowish-red and 
purple-spotted flowers of which were peeping above a 
mass of Mesembryanthemums, amid which the little 
shrub was growing. 
The leaves of that little shrub are finely divided 
like those of the common Carrot. Those leaves are 
sweet-scented whenever pressed, and those purple- 
spotted flowers emit their fragrance so soon as the sun 
has ceased from shining upon them. The plant we thus 
found and saved in its birth-place was a specimen of the 
Pelargonium triste, or Night-smelling Crane’s Bill ; the 
very first of the genus, we believe, that was introduced 
into Europe, and which, like Pelargonium zonule, is a 
parent of some of the best varieties which now appear 
on our exhibition tables. More than two hundred years 
have elapsed since it became first known to our plant- 
growers, and it is thus described by one writing at the 
time :— 
“ There is of late brought into this kingdom and to 
our knowledge by the industry of Mr. John Tradescant, 
another more rare and no less beautiful than any of the 
former, and he had it by the name of Geranium Indicum 
node odoratum. This hath not as yet been written of by 
any that I know, therefore I will give you the description 
thereof, but cannot as yet give you the figure, because 
I omitted the taking thereof the last year, and it is not 
, as yet come to its perfection. The leaves are larger, 
being almost a foot long, composed of sundry little 
leaves of an unequal bigness, set upon a thick and stiff 
middle rib, and these leaves are much divided and cut 
in, so that the whole leaf somewhat resembles that of 
| Tanacetum inodorum, and they are thick, green, and 
somewhat hairy; the stalk is thick, and some cubit high. 
At the top of each branch, upon foot-stalks some foot 
long, grow some eleven or twelve flowers, and each of 
these flowers consisteth of five round pointed leaves, 
of a yellowish colour, with a large black-purple spot in 
the middle of each leaf, as if it were painted, which 
gives the flower a great deal of beauty, and it also hath 
a good smell. .1 did see it in flower about tfie end of 
July, 1032, being the first time it flowered with the 
owner thereof.” 
There is little similarity between that plant and the 
Pelargoniums to which it has aided to give birth, and 
a comparison of these with their parent is a triumphant 
evidence of the skill of those earnest cultivators, among 
whom, in chronological succession, are Fairchild, Sweet, 
Hoyle, Foster, Turner, Beck, and Dobson. 
The cultivator last-named has just published a work 
upon the management of this flower,* and we recom¬ 
mend it to all amateur growers, for it is full of sound 
practical information. 
As a specimen of its contents we give the following 
extract, showing for the current year the varieties which 
Mr. Dobson recommends :— 
“ TWELVE VARIETIES FOR EXHIBITION. 
“ In making a list of those I would recommend, I would 
state that I have not made this list as any criterion for the 
trade, but for the amateur. A moderate sized plant of each 
of the following, shown at any exhibition, could not be 
otherwise than successful. They are confidently recom¬ 
mended, being all distinct varieties, and nearly everything 
that can be wished. I have not selected any of the several 
fine varieties let out in the autumn of i854, as I have 
thought it best to try them another season before making 
any remarks on them. 
“ Attraction (Foster’s). A very striking and showy 
variety, orange crimson, its only fault is not opening enough j 
naturally; free bloomer, and strong habit, good throughout | 
the season. 
“Ambassador (Beck's). Large lilac, of good shape, stout 
petals, and the best in its class; free bloomer, good habit, 
good throughout the season. 
“ Aretiiusa (Beck’s). Delicate salmon, most profuse 
bloomer, good shape and habit, early flower, but continues 
good throughout the season. 
“ Bride of Abydos, the best white out (except Gem of 
the V estd in the style of Old Queen of the Fairies as regards 
colour; good shape, free bloomer, and dwarf, compact habit, 
good in June and July. 
“Carlos ( Hoyle ' s ). Good mottled rose, large truss, and 
free bloomer; good in May and Juno. 
“Empress (Beck’s). A first-rate flower of the finest 
quality ; colour Vermillion, and very distinct, good shape, 
free bloomer, although perhaps not quite so free as some ' 
varieties enumerated, good throughout the season. 
“Glowworm (Beck’s). Very free bloomer, large truss, in 
the style of Forget-me Not, but a great improvement on 
that variety ; good in May and June. 
“Magnet (Hoyle’s). Nothing need be said in commenda 
tiou of this variety; its desirableness for all purposes is too 
well known, although far from what we should term a first- 
rate variety in many points. 
“Leah (Beck’s). Very beautiful flower, clear white 
centre, a fine early flower; very striking, and first rate for 
exhibition. 
“ Optimum (Foster’s). Large crimson, free bloomer, good 
* The Pelargonitim, or Practical Observations on its Culture; toge¬ 
ther with a Monthly Calendar of Operations. By John Dobson. Second 
edition, London : Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 
No. COCNLVIIJ. Voi, XIV 
