Plate 32i. 

 FANCY PANSIES. 



Although the past few years have been unfavourable to the 

 growth of Pausies in the south of England, the Scotch florists 

 have continued their labours and have been very successful, 

 esjiccially in the Fancy class, in improving the shajie and sub- 

 stance of a class of flowers which, from their peculiarity of 

 colouring, will have perhaps a larger number of admirers than 

 those which are better known as florists' flowers. 



But it is not in this respect alone that the Fancy Pansy is 

 likely to be a favourite ; the reproach that has for some time 

 been brought against our flower gardens, that we endure nine 

 nioullis of disorder en- barrenness for three months of beauty, 

 is fast being done away with. Mr. Fleming, of Cliveden, has 

 shown how it is possible to have the parterre interesting during 

 winter, and brilliant in spring, as well as gorgeous in summer. 

 For this pur])ose, amongst other things, the Pansy has been 

 largely used, and one of those which we now figure. Imperial 

 Blue (Fig. o), will, we believe, prove to be a most valuable 

 variety for that purpose ; it was exhibited by Mr. Laing, of the 

 firm of Downie, Laird, and Laing, of Stanstead Park, Forest 

 Hill, S.E., several times last year, and was very generally ad- 

 mired ; it is strong in habit, abundant in blooming, and differing 

 in shade of colour from any blue Pansy we have, while the in- 

 tense black blotch and eyes make it very distinct. Besides this, 

 we have figured TJiomas Downie (Fig. 1), a white-ground flower, 

 with deep purple blotches, and a fringe of purplish pencilling 

 proceeding from the blotches towards the border of the petals ; 

 the upper petals are veined at the base with a light feathery- 

 looking blotch. Miss J. Kay (Fig. 2), the lower petals of which 

 are bright yellow, with very large crimson maroon blotches ; the 



