FANCY PELARGONIUMS. 
99 
is likely to occur, because what were the readiest combinations 
at the commencement are still among the easiest, and, in the 
absence of any guard against such negative progress, will inevi¬ 
tably take up much time and attention, till some master mind or 
fortunate chance point out a new road to the desired end. On 
the adoption of the other section, however, but little difficulty is 
to be apprehended, as by following the principles which have 
led to such admirable results in their allies, the pencilled varie¬ 
ties, we are certain to effect improvement; at present the race is 
very limited, and those which exist have not much diversity of 
colouring; abundant space is therefore afforded for the introduc¬ 
tion of novelties, and that they may be real improvements, we 
have only to select from the kinds we possess such as have the 
most compact, neat habit, to combine with others remarkable for 
their purity and depth of colour. To make the class popular, 
we must endeavour to render it pleasing, making the distinction 
in habit as widely different as possible from the more ordinary 
kinds, and endowing it with colours the most vivid we can 
select; without a degree of popularity, this or any other pursuit 
loses its charms, but once ensured, we may go on improving till 
form and order be as particularly insisted on in these as in their 
rivals, whose position it is desired they should occupy. Some 
standard, though only an ideal one, must be fixed, towards which 
future results may approximate, and were we asked to point out 
one by which new varieties may be estimated, we should say, 
let them approach as nearly as possible in habit to the beautiful 
little variegated kind, known as the “Dandy;” as much more 
robust as can be attained with regard to the desired dwarfing, 
and clothed with flowers of the most decided and brilliant tints. 
The variety just named does not flower, or at least we do not 
remember to have seen its blossoms, and, therefore, but little 
assistance will be derived from it; that, however, does not lessen 
its value as a standard for habit: the object being to attain some¬ 
thing perfectly distinct from the usual character of the tribe, we 
know none that maybe instanced as combining more symmetrical 
elegance with a contour so decidedly unique. The importance of a 
completely separated habit in the class being conceded, we must 
also strenuously endeavour to impart colours that are not known 
or usual in the pencilled varieties; the scarlet kinds do not 
