188 THE FLORIST, 



lightly feathered and flamed ; Catalan!, a line variety ; and La Belle 

 Nannette, which I had from a first-rate grower, is evidently nothing 

 but Heroine. 



We saw numerous other beds containing the leading varieties 

 and some of the novelties described above ; but as we wish to avoid 

 repetition we refrain from particularising them. From what we ob- 

 served we conclude, that if the growers are equalled they are not 

 excelled by any in the kingdom ; and from the zeal manifested in 

 the cultivation of our favourite, the determination to procure any 

 varieties that are really good, and the great attention paid to the 

 raising of seedlings, it is not unlikely that ere long Derbyshire will 

 be as celebrated for its Tulips as Hertfordshire is for its Roses. 



T. Allestree. 



PROPAGATION AND TREATMENT OF BEDDING-OUT 

 PLANTS. 



No. L 



That one good plant at bedding-out time is worth half a dozen in- 

 ferior ones is a truism universally admitted. I shall not therefore 

 stop to examine what the advantages are of the former over the lat- 

 ter, but assuming them to be patent, offer a few hints on the best 

 mode of securing them. 



In plant-propagation, the kind of cutting employed influences 

 in a great degree the character of the future plant. Strong, well- 

 organised cuttings produce healthy and vigorous plants, and con- 

 trariwise ; and independent of the longer period required for un- 

 suitable cuttings to make plants, they are always deficient in vigour, 

 and are preserved wdth difficulty through the perils of a protracted 

 winter, especially if the structure in which they are stowed is not 

 properly constructed for warding off the effects of damp, which is 

 always more to be dreaded than frost. 



Many kinds of bedding-plants produce good cuttings but spar- 

 ingly, unless precautionary measures are adopted to induce them to 

 do so. This is the case with many of the most useful Verbenas ; 

 and numerous other instances will suggest themselves to the reader. 

 Flow^ers are produced so abundantly, that shoots proper for cuttings 

 are scarcely procurable. With plants of this character it is always 

 the better plan to have a few of each planted in the reserve garden, 

 where, by pruning and attention, an abundance of good shoots will 

 be produced for the purpose required. And besides, an early supply 

 will be at hand ; a matter of no mean importance where a large quan- 

 tity of those kinds are required which strike with difficulty in the 

 autumn, as the Anagallis for instance. For although spring pro- 

 pagating from plants preserved through the winter is now much 

 adopted, and is a practice much to be commended, such can only, ex- 

 cept in limited cases, be considered as an addenda in providing the 

 general stock required. It will therefore be found a point worthy of 



