About the year 1834 or 1835,(for I have no exact record of the date,) the fioricultural world were generally surprised and delighted by the advance made in the culture of this family, by Mr. Foster, a gentleman residing at Clewes, near Windsor, some 25 miles from London, who it appeared had for some time directed his attention to hybridizing the perlargonium, and who then sent out his "Gem." This flower, with reference to its predecessors, was an enormous stride towards the shape that was desired, namely, a perfect circle; and to which it was a much nearer approximation than anything that had been seen before. The color was good, and the foliage and habit large, and every thing that could be desired. Two other flowers Mr. Foster produced, I think the same season, which, although not equal to his " Gem," were still such marked improvements as to excite much interest. But the " Gem " had one great fault, which, no less then than now, was considered fetal to its reputation. The petals " burnt," as it was technically called by the growers; that is a moderate share of sunshine caused a change of color and texture to take place in the upper petals af the bloom, just at the line where the deep blotch of color shaded off into the lighter colored margin.

The great advance, nevertheless, in the the plant as a whole, and also as a variety from which to continue the course of hybridising, created a great demand for it, and also induced many florists, both in and out of the trade to commence, what they had never before thought of, or else had regarded as too uncertain in its results to engage their attention, the systematic improvement of the flower by careful hibridization. There was another flower, which about this time made a great noise in the floral world, as the great man from whom it took its name did in political, namely "Washington." The color of it was a fine crimson, and it had the much esteemed quality of being a good one to force early in the season, for which reason it was muck in request.

Mr. Foster's success, thus begun, did not forsake him. " Alicea " was the name given by him the following season, to a seed ling which followed in the steps of his " Gem," as regards general good qualities, but of a distinct class as regards color. This flower was sent at the price of three guineas to the public; in stating which circumstance, it should be added, however, that it was generally understood in the fancy, (and I have no doubt that the fact was so,) that Mr. Foster, who is a man of property, did not sell his flowers, but gave the stock of his plants to a nurseryman under some restriction as to the time and mode of disposing of them; and that thus he was the founder of the fortune of one of the nurserymen of London, who is considered to have made an independence principally from this source, and certainly from its instrumentality.

The impetus given to the Pelargonium culture by these flowers, was very great, and thus it was that for the first time the specimens every year assumed an increased size, and in the high degree of culture which the engraved specimen in the " Horticulturist " referred to in the beginning of these remarks indicated.

I was myself at the exhibition at which that specimen was exhibited, and I can testify to the accuracy of the delineation, and the truthfulness of the general idea of the plant conveyed by it. The name of that variety was " The Priory Queen," and I passed my walking-stick through the body of the flower just above the pot, and found that both ends of the stick, (which is within half an inch of three feet in length,) were concealed by the foliage. This was from front to back of the plant; the width was at least a foot greater in extent; so that some idea may be formed of the mass of magnificence which is presented to the eye. It was not, nevertheless, the size of the plant that gave it its importance so much as the more than ordinarily large quantity of flowers which had expanded at once. In point of size, other genariums both at that and many other exhibitions of the time were to be found. They were grown in very large pots, and indeed took up, from their magnitude so great an extent of space on the exhibition tables, that the two principal Horticultural Societies at London, about that time limited the size of the pots for the prizes offered for Pelargoniums, to eight or nine inches, with the view to discourage the continued extension of their magnitude, which was intruding too materially upon the claims of other families of plants, for room to exhibit their beauties.

To return from this digression to my historical sketch. Mr. Foster's success having as I have remarked, set others upon the scent, it was not long before they, like him, were rewarded by the addition of fine varieties. Mr. Gainks, a nurseryman, brought out many new varieties, some of which were very good, but many of little value, among which was one in his catalogue for 1838, now before me, he sent out at five guineas, a price that I well remember was thought at the time far beyond its merits. A clergyman of the name of Garth, was one of the most fortunate; his "Perfection" was a much esteemed variety, and the circumstance of its flowers being supported upon stiff foot-stalks, which held them up erect above the foliage, a quality wanting in many of Foster's early flowers, which consequently had to be held in position by sticks, was a valuable acquisition. Every year now brought forward several really fine and distinct new varieties; and the emulation which arose between these, the two fathers of modern geranium growing, as they are fully entitled to be called, Foster and Garth, occasioned much interest to their admirers, as I doubt not it did to themselves.

So matters went on until it was first whispered (about in 1840,) and then announced by Foster's "publisher," (as we should say had it been a book,) in a flaming advertisement, that the philosopher's stone was discovered; that Mr. Foster had outdone himself, and that he had produced a flower that was the ne plus ultra of perfection. Intense was the interest and anxiety to see it; the price at which it was to come out, five guineas, was only calculated to add fire to the flame of the enthusiasm; while the name " The Sylph," served to re-engage in aid of his favorite pursuit, all the tender feelings which the amateur had been able to steal from his floricultural affection, to devote to the softer sex ! I, for one, went off to Catleugh's place, (that was the name of Foster's nurseryman,) and never shall I forget the pleasure with which I first gazed on the mass of plants of the " Sylph," which he had congregated together, and which filled up a large space in one of his long green-houses. The character of the flower was decidedly new, the colors also, while the habit of the plant, when well grown, was unexceptional. At length this variety got into general cultivation, and great were the disputes as to its merits.

While one part of the amateurs lauded it to the skies, another as unqualifiedly condemned it. The truth, as is often the case in a war of opinions, rested between the two. It was undoubtedly in many points a most desirable flower, and it had so distinct a character also, that its good qualities became the more valuable. On the other hand, while it flourished most luxuriantly with some, others could not get it to throw a good head of bloom. This arose principally, from its requiring rather more warmth than most geraniums, at one period of its growth.

It would be tedious to enumerate the names of one in twenty of the flowers, which succeeding years have introduced, but those I have above referred to, may be deemed to mark epochs in the history of the improvements of this splendid and now gorgeous family. I shall, in conclusion, do little more than record the names of the persons to whose industry and love for it we are principally indebted for the advanced state of beauty in which we possess it at present, by the ardor for carrying on, which I am glad to announce is in no way declining; for I am continually receiving from my old geranium friends in England, news of the "good things coming".

The next remarkable era, was the appearance of Beck, of Isle worth, then a new name to the admirers of the flower, but one which soon made itself respected. For Mr. Beck had a most fortunate run of success, and for some three or four years he originated varieties, which in a great measure, threw into the shade even Mr. Foster and Mr. Garth's productions; and he has from his first start, maintained up to the present time his standard of ex* cellence. Mr. Foster, however, like a "good man and true," did not allow the more than ordinary success of his worthy competitor to damp bis courage, and by steady perseverance he has regained his position, as one of the foremost champions of the present day, as he is the veteran who has uniformity borne the brunt and heat of the battle. During the last three or four years, he has brought forward some splendid sorts. One more name demands honorable mention too meritoriously, to be passed by. I mean Mr Hoyle. lie has produced many excellent varieties; and the man who has given to the floricultural world such a flower as " Hoyle's Crusader," can well afford to rest upon bis laurels and let others gather a wreath for themselves.

There are numerous others and very deserving growers, who well merit the large share of success that has attended their efforts; but having referred to the leading friends of the geranium, I must draw my remarks to a close. B.