1881 . ] 
NEW FRENCH PELARGONIUMS.—THE PECULIARITIES OF GRAPES. 
129 
NEW FRENCH PELARGONIUMS. 
[Plate 545.] 
« HE influence of the Pelargonium Society 
seems to have worked a sort of revival 
amongst these showy flowers, the ex¬ 
hibition varieties of which, of the large-flowered 
type, had, to a great extent, lost their original 
vigour of growth, and with it the capacity to 
show a fine head of bloom. Of late years there 
has gradually sprung up a race of these large- 
flowered sorts which are called “ decorative ” 
varieties, and which possess great constitutional 
vigour, producing a crowd of well-filled flower- 
trusses, and displaying rich and effectively 
marked blossoms, which, though less correct in 
form than the typical show kinds, have, to a 
considerable extent, usurped their place for the 
ornamentation of the greenhouse, and have 
even edged their way amongst the foremost 
sorts on the exhibition stage. Another off-shoot 
of the old show type has also appeared in what 
are known as the “ regal ” type, consisting of 
varieties possessing extreme vigour of growth, 
large flower-trusses, striking colours, and indi¬ 
vidual blossoms which have their petals so 
much imbricated and interfolded, that they 
have the appearance of forming double 
flowers. Both the “ decorative ’’ and “ regal ” 
varieties are at present in high favour amongst 
cultivators. 
Classed temporarily with the last named, 
though presenting considerable difference of 
character and aspect, is a race which appears 
to have originated with M. Lemoine, of 
Nancy, and which approaches the Geranium 
proper, in having the petals almost uniform 
in contour, colour, and marking, forming a 
circular mallow-like flower, and which, for 
want of a better name, might be called 
the Malvoid type. These are mostly dwarf¬ 
growing and sturdy in habit, and very free- 
blooming, so that they are showy in character, 
and much esteemed by cultivators, both for ex¬ 
hibition and for ornamental purposes. Our 
plate represents two of these varieties, sketched 
by Mr. Fitch in Mr. Bull’s extensive and varied 
collection—two varieties which are likely to 
become very popular amongst growers for ex¬ 
hibition, and to be held in favour also in 
private gardens, and by amateurs having a 
taste for choice flowers of varied character. 
Fig. 1 represents Madame Thibaut, a variety 
which, it will be seen, is of a delicate, salmony 
pink, with a white margin to the petals and a 
white centre; it is a very striking and effective 
variety, when skilfully cultivated. Fig. 2 is 
named Lucie Lemoine, and, as represented, 
has circular flowers, which are almost pure 
white, and as such, not only strikingly dis¬ 
similar from other sorts when seen upon the 
plant, but also, on account of their pure white 
colour, valuable for bouquet work. The plant 
is of healthy growth and a free bloomer. Both 
sorts can be recommended for their utility 
as decorative and as exhibition plants, also 
for their novelty and distinctness of character. 
—T. Moore. 
THE PECULIARITIES OF GRAPES. 
<£xp®)HERE are but few Grapes that are not 
wPw? 1 su hj ec t f° certain diseases or donotpre- 
sent difficulties of culture peculiar to 
themselves. To discover what these are, and the 
proper remedies for them, is not the least im¬ 
portant part of the Grape-grower’s duties and 
qualifications. Some of these diseases are deep- 
seated and mysterious, at least I find them so, 
and I mean to touch on such of them as I do 
not understand, in the hope that some of the 
readers of the Florist and Pomologist may 
be able to throw some light on them. 
To begin with Lady Downes —which is still 
in my opinion our very best late Grape. It 
is a vigorous grower, shows fruit freely, and 
No. 45. imperial series. 
at a temperature of 70° sets plenty of fruit, 
and goes on well till the close of the stoning 
period, just before it begins to change colour, 
when all the abnormally large berries in many 
of the bunches get black on one side suddenly, 
and rot off. A diagnosis of such berries shows 
that they nearly all have five stones in them, and 
two of these are in contact with each other. It is 
on the side where they are in contact that the 
disease begins. I have found others with only 
four stones or seeds that have also gone wrong; 
two, however, being in contact having no flesh 
between them. Barely have I found a medium¬ 
sized berry go wrong as described, and never a 
seedless berry. I have occasionally found a 
K 
