Without entering into a full explanation of the origin and home of this class of plants, which is very ably described by our distinguished horticultural writer, Peter Henderson, in his " Hand Book of Plants," a work deservedly appreciated by all who are interested in the kingdom of flowers, I intend hereby to show how to cultivate, produce, propagate and bloom them in a most approved manner, calling to my aid my own long experience. There is hardly a plant which is more popular among all classes on the globe than what is generally called the horse-shoe or zonal geranium, "pelargonium inquinans." While fashionable plants require a fortune to buy and grow them satisfactorily in large collections, the laborer and his wife can enjoy the geranium, and on this account it deserves to be brought before the public and permitted to present its beauty and glory as well as any of its charming sisters. The geranium is found in the homes of the humble and industrious, but it loses nothing of its inherent beauty on that account.

For where can a natural beauty be oftener found than among the farmers and their daughters ?

When I became first acquainted with the geranium, there were only a few varieties and very imperfect; a few shades of red, one of pink and, some time after, a very poor white. The Tom Thumb geranium was the first to elevate its genus to a loved plant, and large masses of them were planted in clumps and made a brilliant appearance in parks and gardens. Then for a long time there was a standstill, and it was thought that this was the extent of the mission of the geranium, until gradually better more perfect and more beautiful varieties were developed and exhibited. Amateurs interested themselves more and more in their cultivation, and consequently newer and more distinct varieties were produced, so that the geranium became a plant of commerce and was generally cultivated everywhere. Not only exquisite flowers, like hardly any other plant, with so many shades of red, pink, salmon, large clear white, variegated, double and single, but also the most beautiful leaf geraniums with splendid gold, bronze and silver leaf are now produced exhibited and advertised in all leading catalogues.

The ivy geranium "pelargonium peltatum," likely as old as its sisters, has been wonderfully improved of late in double as well as single flowers, and with remarkably distinct and variegated foliage. They are not only delightful for hanging baskets, but also grow on trellises, or in any other way when handled by a skillful hand. Late varieties are introduced and sold by V. P. Simmons, florist, Geneva, Ohio; V. H. Hallock, Son & Thorpe, Queens, N. Y., and other leading florists, which they advertise in their catalogues, amongst the latest novelties in geraniums of striking qualifications. But the ivy-leaved are actually charming with their immense trusses of both double and single flowers, florets over two inches in diameter and of exquisite colors. New varieties from England, France, Germany and the United States appear yearly, and oftentimes create a sensation among lovers of geraniums, who are everywhere to be found where the plant can be cultivated.

The propagation of the geranium is universally known. Every woman knows how to slip or grow it from cuttings, but the most interesting manner is to grow it from seeds, which are carefully gathered from the best varieties and which are likely crossed either accidentally or by scientific processes. These seeds, sown in February where they can vegetate, will in eight or ten days be up, and in three or four weeks the plants should be transplanted, and again and again transplanted until they can be safely planted out of doors. In order to grow strong plants, especially if we are compelled to plant them close together for lack of room, the largest leaves should be removed, which can be done without injury. After they are planted about 15 inches apart, kept clean from weeds and the soil well loosened, a careful observer can be already amused by observing the habits and formation of the plant and its foliage. In the latter part of July they begin to flower, which causes daily a great deal of excitement.

The color of the seedling Virgin Bloom appears to be brighter, the trusses larger than in the others; and thus we are very apt to discover many extra properties in these our children, which we will justify by getting better and better acquainted with the characters of our production.

The principal condition of an introduction of a new praiseworthy geranium is a new color, a large well formed truss over a well proportioned plant, with not too large leaves, round florets and round petals. Only such seedlings may be exempted from these absolute conditions which have otherwise extra endurable properties. Judging from the present indications of the geranium, the future developments of the flower will be such as will resemble the pelargonium variety, with more distinct colors and marks on the two upper petals. I have planted for several years past about 1,000 seedlings yearly, well advanced plants; I took good care of them, watched them closely, and after they commenced flowering they gave me great pleasure. We potted about 200, discarded all of them which we deemed to be worthless, and when frost came there was only about one-eighth of them which showed no sign of flower buds. Of my 200 seedlings I selected about 50 which I thought were good and somewhat different from other sorts, but by more particular examination I reduced the number to 24, then to an average of about 10 a year, which were worth reserving and are distinct varieties. The value of a seedling geranium can not for certain be established before one year.

As they may decrease as well as increase in their properties, those who wish to show their esteem for a person or locality by naming a new variety of a plant after it might be obliged to re-name it. So they should not be too hasty in selecting a subject for immortality. The few which I have named after some honorable persons in our immediate neighborhood, I hope will be as favorably known as their distinguished namesakes.

Some geraniums bloom by crops. Oftentimes I have counted on a one-year-old plant as high as 18 flowers in full bloom. Others again are all the time in bloom, while others have very large, beautiful and distinct trusses, but are shy bloomers. If a special apartment or a part of the house could be devoted to geraniums, all in bloom tastefully arranged, the colors well mixed, no other plant will afford a more constantly attractive show during the whole winter season than the geraniums, because if a plant be for a little while flowerless it may easily be replaced by another one in flower from the balance of the collection. It is beneficial and adds appearance, and causes them to flower more abundantly, if from time to time a proportion of the coarsest leaves is removed-as the air can better circulate and they receive thereby a better form.

I have frequently heard the remark from visitors that their geraniums were full of leaves but no flowers. They say, " I don't understand why your geraniums are so prolific; I guess you can talk to them and they know you." I answer, " There is indeed something in that." Any one who has handled an article for years has gathered experience and knows exactly what is needed, if he has reflected deeply on his operations. The removing of the leaves alone, however, would not do much good if the plants were not treated properly otherwise. The geranium when grown in pots in winter in a moist temperature of from 45 to 65 Fahrenheit and placed as near as possible to the glass, transplanted at least twice in rich loamy soil and clean pots - "give them a little air in mild weather, and mix once in a while fertilizer in their watering - "when geraniums are so treated they will undoubtedly be in full bloom all winter, even in December and January. My geraniums were admired by all who saw them. I often thought that their trusses were larger and more perfect than in summer. Some trusses measured over five inches in diameter. Of course there must be such ones selected as are inclined to bloom in winter, for it is certain that some varieties bloom better in summer.

According to locality, all colors and shades are required to exhibit an accomplished variety. Together with the newest introductions, my collection consists principally of my own raising, and comprises almost all colors in geraniums. I have kept up, besides, a few standing varieties such as Rev. Atkinson, Dr. Denning, Surface Beauty, Du Surenne and two or three others. There are now splendid double kinds, which bloom as well as single ones, of all colors, even some with variegated leaves. To keep geraniums over winter, for no other purpose except to plant them out again, all the leaves should be taken off, and roots planted in a box close together and placed in a dry cellar, where they will hardly need any attention except to keep them from frost.

When the culture of plants and flowers is so interesting, and causes so much entertainment and pleasure, one would think it should be universal; besides, the geranium is a life-long companion, wandering with the household furniture from place to place; and the good housewife makes a special request to her husband not to forget her geranium. In large parks and gardens, where it takes hundreds, yes thousands of plants for one bed, if planted by a skillful hand, where can there a more brilliant effect be found than in such a flower bed ? The variegated leaf geraniums especially are precious for edging. One of the noblest amusements is to be found in the floral kingdom, where flowers are cultivated with love. There peace and harmony will prevail, and the blessing of Heaven will follow the deed.

Kingston, N. Y.

[This excellent article has appeared in a local paper, the Kingston Freeman; but has been sent us by a correspondent with the remark that it is well worth re-publication in the Gardeners' Monthly, an opinion we heartily endorse. - Ed. G. M].