1881. J 
NEW DOUBLE IVY-LEAVED PELARGONIUMS.—CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES. 
17 
NEW DOUBLE IVY-LEAVED PELARGONIUMS. 
[Plate 531.] 
C0^3MONGST the flowers which have of 
late years made rapid strides towards 
o (b doo perfection, the Ivy-leaved Pelargo¬ 
niums may be noted as prominent examples. 
We may especially refer to some of Mr. George’s 
novelties, figured in a former volume, as bearing 
out this remark in respect to the single- 
flowered varieties. Our present illustration is 
ample evidence on the score of the double- 
flowered sorts, which now form a numerous 
and a highly-ornamental section. We are 
indebted to Mr. W. Bull and to Mr. Barron for 
the selection of varieties here represented. Mr. 
Bull was fortunate enough to obtain a batch 
of superior varieties shortly after the appear¬ 
ance of M. Liebmann’s Ivonig Albert, and 
Gazelle, our Fig. 1, represents one of these, 
of unexceptionable quality, which produces 
full double flowers of a charmingly delicate 
tint of French white or blush-lilac. Fig. 2, 
Gloire d’Orleans, and Fig. 3, Monsieur 
Dubus, are varieties sent out by M. Lemoine, 
and were on trial last year in the Pelargonium 
collection at Chiswick. These latter, by their 
bright colours, add a new charm to this most 
distinct class of varieties, which, amongst other 
merits, possess that of being some of the best 
of all basket-plants for the greenhouse or 
cool conservatory. They are easily propa¬ 
gated and easily grown, and they may, there¬ 
fore, be strongly recommended not only for 
basket-work, but also as decorative pot-plants. 
We know of few subjects, moreover, which are 
better suited for the cottager’s window, where 
the loving attention bestowed will rarely fail 
of an ample reward. 
The French variety, Gloire d’Orleans , raised 
by M. Lemoine, is remarkable for its dwarf, 
close habit of growth, and the profusion in 
which its flower-trusses are produced. In this 
habit of growth and inflorescence it is distinct 
from all the sorts previously known ; the colour 
is a bright carmine-rose, and the flowers full 
and well-formed. Mons. Dubus was raised by 
M. Dubus, and is of a floriferous habit, with 
fine double flowers of a deep rose pink, which 
renders the variety very attractive. Both are 
far in advance in regard to colour, of any of 
those previously in cultivation.—T. Moore. 
CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES : PAST AKD PRESENT. 
ETWEEN Parkinson and the National 
Carnation and Picotee Society there 
is a great gulf fixed. What the gulf 
contained is in some degree reflected by John 
Rea, who in 1676 had 360 good Carnations; 
Thomas Hogg, schoolmaster, of Paddington, 
who in 1812 had a grand collection of Carna¬ 
tions and Picotees, the ‘ finest in the world,’ 
and numbering more than 700 varieties, of all 
prices, from 2s. to 60s. ; and Richard Pigott, 
florist, of Cheltenham, who in 1820 published 
a Short Plain Treatise on Carnations and 
Pinks.” So Mr. Shirley Hibberd, in his 
sketch of the history of Carnations and Picotees, 
published in the Gardener s Magazine of 
July 31st last, the best sketch undoubtedly yet 
written, most full of life and truth. An im¬ 
pression, not at all confined to floriculture, or 
to the cultivation of Carnations and Picotees, 
as a part thereof, very generally prevails that 
the past was the period of palmy days, and we 
have been frequently assured, generally by 
those who seem not to understand how to do 
No. 38. IMPERIAL SERIES. 
the work of the present, that the glory and the 
golden lie all behind us. Well, my experience 
and my reading of history do not lead me to 
such a conclusion ; and as I think some of this 
glamour has been cast around floriculture, I 
ask permission to show what some part of that 
gulf contained by the light of my remembrance. 
My memory carries me back just beyond 
half-a-century. I saw my first show of Carna¬ 
tions and Picotees in 1829. That was a period 
in the imagination of many when shows were 
rife, and floriculture—the culture of florists’ 
flowers, that is—more general than has been 
the case of late. Wonderful delusion! At 
that time, and with very slight mitigation, 
indeed for years thereafter, one-half of the 
people of England existed in a state of semi¬ 
starvation, and in the agricultural districts 
(where I was born) the “ Swing ” riots were 
rampant, the people in their madness of despair 
burning the precious corn they could get no 
means to buy. 
But to come back to my first show. It was 
o 
