138 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 29. 
habit and constant, best in June and July; rather hard in 
breaking. 
“Rosamund (Beck's). Deep rosy purple, with clear white 
centre; abundant bloomer, and excellent for exhibition. May. 
“Vulcan (Beck’s). Fine salmon, very early flower, dis¬ 
tinct and good. 
“ For twenty-four varieties, add the following twelve:— 
“Exhibitor (Beck’s). Deep rose, fine substance, not 
very free bloomer, but one of the largest and best late flowers 
we have. 
“Enchantress (Foster’s). Rosy crimson, of good shape 
and substance, rather weakly habit, but good bloomer. June 
and July. 
i “ Governor General (Hoyle’s). Deep rose, free bloomer, 
| and fine habit, good late flower. 
: “ Harriet (Dobson’s). Pink, small foliage, but the most 
abundant bloomer we have; good throughout the season. 
“Pasha (Beck’s). Mulberry, very distinct, good habit 
and free bloomer; May and June it is very good. 
1 “ Lucy (Foster’s). Lilac, good bloomer and habit, through 
the season it continues good. 
“ Magnificent (Foquelt’s). Crimson scarlet, a very useful 
flower, good habit, free bloomer, good throughout the season. 
“ Purpurea (Beck's). Fine purple, good habit, and free 
bloomer; continues good throughout the season. 
“ Rosa (Beck’s). Rose of good shape and substance, free 
bloomer and first-rate for all purposes. 
“ Majestic (Hoyle’s). Lilac, good bloomer, and constant, 
good throughout the season. 
“Virginia (Hoyle’s). White, with dark blotch, good 
shape and free bloomer, in the style of Virgin Queen, but 
not so long in the habit. 
“ Rebecca (Beck’s). Cinnamon, very distinct,free bloomer, 
good habit, very desirable, good throughout the season. 
“ The best six varieties, having spots on the lower petals, 
are, Chauvierii, Nonsuch, Picta (Beck's), Sanspariel, Tri- 
umphe de la Tour, Zaria. 
“varieties for seeding. 
“ In giving a list for seeding from, I do not mean to 
dictate to any of our great Pelargonium raisers, but simply 
as a guide to those who may be commencing. I advocate 
impregnation by hand, and not left to the bees, as many do. 
I believe that with half the number of seedlings saved in 
this way, you get more from them, and in every way good. 
Many of the finest flowers out have been procured in this 
way. In selecting for seeding from, let them be in a house 
where they can be kept dry. Much seed is lost at the time of 
gathering, through being kept too wet. One or two plants 
of each variety should be selected, and placed one among the 
other. As I consider eighteen varieties quite enought to save 
from, I give the names as follows, and feel certain that those 
who try them will be successful; there being colour, habit, 
freedom of bloom, shape, and other necessary qualities, I 
give my reasons for selecting them. 
“ Ambassador, for its size, good substance, and shape. 
Attraction , for its colour and habit. Harriet, for its habit 
and profusion of bloom. Magnet, for its colour and habit. 
Leader, for its colour. Conqueror, for its fine colour. Opti¬ 
mum, for its colour. Pasha, for its colour. Phceton, for its 
colour. Incomparable, for its colour. Leah, for its general 
good properties. Purpurea, for its colour and habit. Vulcan, 
for its colour. Wonderful, for its colour, &c. Topsy, for its 
colour. Rosa, (Beck's), for its good shape and habit. Silenus, 
for its colour and habit.” 
NOTES OF THE WEEK. 
It is not generally known that the earliest Peas which 
are offered for sale in abundance in our markets are 
grown in Portugal, and are brought thence by steamers 
to Southampton and elsewhere. This year such early 
supplies will he very small, for the crops in Portugal 
have been destroyed, either by the severe weather at the 
commencement of the year, or by some other untoward 
event of which we have not the particulars. 
Information has been published that the Vines of 
France are already suffering severely from mildew. We 
have reasons for doubting this statement, and our doubt¬ 
ing is strengthened by the fact, that the report of the 
mildew’s appearance is coupled with a recommendation 
and warning to purchase a stock of brandy, before any 
increase of price occurs. There are rumours spread to 
benefit other markets besides that of the Stock Exchange. 
We are very much gratified by knowing that Prince 
Albert has presented, during the present month, a Silver 
Tea Service to Dr. Kirkpatrick, the Principal of the 
Albert Institution at Glasnevin, near Dublin. This 
Institution has been established for the instruction of 
students in the science and art of farming. The Prince 
was so pleased with his visit to the Institution in the 
autumn of 1853, that he placed there a young man, Mr. 
J. Pristo, to be trained for the duties of Land Steward 
of one cf the Royal Farms. Mr. Pristo completed his 
studies very satisfactorily, and the satisfaction of Prince 
j Albert with Mr. Pristo’s proficiency, and with the kind 
attention shown to him by Dr. Kirkpatrick, has resulted 
in the present we have noticed. 
Although there is not the same mania for Tulips in 
the present day as existed in Holland towards the close 
of the 17th century, still there is no waut of enthusiasm 
or admiration for this long-cultivated and beautiful 
florist flower; but the varieties for which the Dutchmen 
sold houses, and lands, and goods to possess, however 
beautiful they may have been, would stand a poor 
chance in the bed of a modern fancier. We have re¬ 
cently paid a visit to the collection of Mr. Groom, of 
Clapham Rise, which is now in its greatest perfection, 
| and we must confess we were gratified beyond measure 
at the fine display which is there exhibited. Mr. Groom 
! evidently devotes a great deal of his attention to the 
cultivation of this flower, and bis labours are not without 
I 
its fruits, the finest flowers in the bed being all seedlings 
of his own raising. The principal bed is under an 
awning 150 feet in length, and contains about 2,000 
roots of the finest varieties, among which we observed 
the following:— 
Duchess of Cambridge; a very splendid feathered 
Byblomen, remarkably clear in the ground, delicately 
pencilled, and with a fine round petal; a flower of good 
substance. This was broken only last year by Mr. 
Groom, and we were informed that the price of a single 
bulb is .£105. 
Queen Adelaide; also a very fine Byblomen, and a 
seedling of Mr. Groom’s. 
Furydice .—This is of very fine form, being of the 
perfect cup-shape, and is a full feathered Byblomen. 
Victoria Regina; very fino form, and beautifully 
marked Byblomen. 
Marquis of Bristol .—This appeared to be the gem of 
the whole bed. It is a feathered Bizaarc of remarkably 
fine shape, and well marked with a very clear ground. 
We might enumerate many other varieties which 
attracted our attention, but our space will not allow us 
to do justice to them. All that remains for us to do is 
