190 THE FLORIST. 



SALVIA GESNEHIFLORA. 



This is a most beautiful \vinter and spring flowering plant, its large 

 bunches of bright scarlet blossoms being very striking. Few plants 

 surpass this charming species in beauty of flowers, which are pro- 

 duced in great abundance from February to June. I have plants struck 

 from cuttings last year which have been crowned with twenty spikes, 

 which were very effective among Azaleas, Roses, and such plants. 



This Sage is easily cultivated ; it may be grown in any cool green- 

 house or frame. The best way to have it in perfection is to strike 

 cuttings every year, which should be put in about April or May, in a 

 little bottom-heat. As soon as they strike root, pot them into small 

 pots ; afterwards place them again on bottom-heat till the roots begin 

 to move, then transfer them to a cooler frame or house ; and as soon 

 as the pots have become full of roots, repot into a size larger, and 

 keep them in the house till June. Then place them out under a 

 north wall till September, when they should be removed into a house 

 or frame. They require a good-sized pot to grow them to perfection, 

 for they root very freely. The best soil for them is turfy loam and 

 leaf-mould in equal parts, with a little drift-sand. 



Hoddesdon. B. S. Williams. 



SAVING SEED. 



So long back as 1848, and in the opening Number of the Florist, I 

 was granted permission to address myself to its readers on the sub- 

 ject of raising seedling flowers; and in so doing my remarks were 

 principally directed to dealers, whom I ventured to charge with not 

 prosecuting so interesting a study in the manner best calculated for 

 the general advancement of the pursuit. I was favoured with a well- 

 directed rejoinder from one of those whom I intended to urge to 

 greater exertion, yet I hope that some good was the result. 



I again venture to address your readers on a similar theme, and 

 shall endeavour to point out the fallacies by which " saving seed" is 

 even at present universally conducted. I shall select the Dahlia, and 

 give, in illustration, some observations made by " an eye-witness on 

 the spot;" and in selecting this flower I admit the subject to be one 

 that few, if any, can so amply discuss as our present proprietor and con- 

 ductor himself; hence any statement that I may advance which ap- 

 pears erroneous, I would respectfully solicit its correction. I was told 

 in the article just referred to, at p. 64, vol. i., that ''both nurserymen 

 and amateurs keep reserved beds expressly for seeding, and from which 

 they gather the foundation of their hopes of raising something good." 

 Now, if such were the rule, I should not have occupied your pages 

 with the present inquiry ; but even admitting such a practice to be 

 the exception, I am the more anxious to direct attention to the sub- 

 ject, in order that more of us may so apply our energies to so 

 interesting a department of the pursuits of floriculture, that greater 



