"8 THE FLORIST. 
and did not know what to substitute for it. I mentioned several, but 
they were all pooh-poohed! though, at last, a possibility of one of 
last year’s taking its place was admitted. I mention this for the benefit 
of those who think everything new must be good, and forthwith throw 
away old-established friends before they have decided whether the new 
faces will wear as well as the old ones. This is a sort of prelude to 
another day’s shooting here. However, the game is not so plentiful, 
it is more like a hippopotamus hunt; for some of them make such a 
noise, and are so terribly encased in armour, that it is very hard to 
drive them out. However, we will try. 
Here are, however, two dear innocents, whom it*seems to be down- 
right murder to say a word against; it is almost like James Tyrrel 
undertaking to smother those infant princes in the Tower. I wish I could 
transcribe all that was said of them :—‘‘ They were the result of long 
and successful hybridising ;” poetry, prose, and philosophy, and every- 
thing possible, were brought to bear; and I should think the’author who 
wrote it must have imbibed a considerable quantity of oxygen gas 
through the new inflator before he felt himself ¢a/? enough for it. I 
mean Imperial Crimson and Model Nosegay. They may be valuable 
on the principle, ‘‘ Live, horse, and you ’ll get oats,’ as we are told they 
are the parents of ‘‘the coming Geranium ;”’ but as to themselves, I have 
heard but one opinion. In some places a second trial is to be given; in 
others, they have been consigned to the dungheap. I might have had a 
basketful of cuttings, but I declined the honour, and I must honestly 
say I do not think them worth garden room, and so— 
‘¢ We smothered 
The most replenished sweet work of Nature, 
That from the prime creation e’er she framed.” 
And now with regard to variegated Geraniums. 
I ventured last year to say that I thought Jane would be an improyve- 
ment, as the flowers were deeper and the foliage flatter than even Bijou. 
This character I think it sustains; the scarlet is quite as deep as Julia, 
and the flowers are produced in greater profusion; and I am inclined 
to think that a second year’s trial will confirm the opinion. Countess de 
Morella I do mot think an improvement, the foliage wrinkles very 
much and the habit is faulty ; besides it will not do, now-a-days, that 
things are as good as those already out—they must be etter. Pictu- 
ratum is a very pretty thing i-doors; but out, like all these crimson 
and pink-zoned varieties, it fails. I have not seen any yet, with the 
exception of Burning Bush, that could be looked upon as good hedders ; 
they are so easily damaged by wet that they soon begin to look dirty 
and tattered. I do not know enough of Rainbow to give any decided 
opinion, and however much may be sa7d of flowers, one is learning the 
lesson every day, that we must see with our own eyes. 
Miss Emily Domville is likely to be an acquisition to the hghter 
flowered variegated, its habit of growth being superior to those already 
out. The new golden varieties are not worth much, at least so far as 
I have seen them ; and as to ease of cultivation, anyone may strike as 
many Golden Chains as they like in the spring. It will thus be seen 
that I do not individually think that we have had any very great 

