AUGUST. 161 



THE PANSY. 



In our Number for February we called the attention of culti- 

 vators to the Pansy, as being worthy of attention as a gay, con- 

 tinuous-blooming plant, independent of its merits as a Florists' 

 flower for exhibition. We feel some pleasure in referring 

 to that article, as the experience of the last four months has 

 more than verified our predictions, which we exemplified 

 by the plants exhibited at Chiswick on the 8th of ]May. The 

 flowers produced on that occasion were large and abundant, 

 in good colour, and the plants were dwarf, with foliage de- 

 picting the best of health. At home, these plants were a 

 source of attraction and beauty for a long time. 



At the present season it would be injudicious to have any 

 plants at all in pots. They should be planted out as soon as 

 they are struck, keeping the surface of the beds loose, by 

 often stirring the soil ; and they should be watered as often as 

 circumstances shew that they require it. 



It is a point which should not be lost sight of, that a much 

 larger number of plants than is likely to be required should 

 be propagated, in order to ensure a good selection for potting 

 up at the proper time in autumn. 



Now that the blooming season is over, it may not be un- 

 important to take a short review of what has been done in 

 1852, and note what progress has been made in new varieties. 

 The bloom of the past season has been of more than average 

 duration, owing to the lateness of the spring and absence of sun, 

 — circumstances which have operated more in favour of plants 

 in pots, with protection when required, than of plants in beds. 

 For all purposes of exhibition, whether growing or in a cut 

 state, those in pots will succeed best for the months of April 

 and May ; but for June the beds must be resorted to, blooms 

 from which will have the advantage both in colour and size, 

 but they will not equal blooms from pots for smoothness. 



As regards new varieties, the improvements effected have 

 been considerable ; and we have thought it well to furnish 

 our readers with coloured illustrations of two of them, viz. Sir 

 J. Cathcart and National. The former has been more than 

 usually successful, being an early and constant bloomer; it 

 has been frequently exhibited, and has received the highest 

 award from each Society. 



Its good properties consist, among other points, in its being 

 stout in the petal, with very fine colours, the ground being 



NEW SERIES. VOL. II. NO. XX. P 



