THE FLORIST. 165 



pips having five, others six — the latter number giving it a frilled and 

 rough appearance ; George the Fourth (Buck's), often very coarse. 



From this may be seen how much we need improvement ; and I 

 make no doubt each of the sorts I have enumerated has been raised 

 twenty years. Now I would cross my good pin-eyed seedlings with 

 one of the best of these, say Buck's George the Fourth ; I would by 

 no means use farina from Bang Europe or Defiance. George the 

 Fourth has size, form, and good constitution to recommend it, and 

 with larger and neater flowers would doubtless soon produce some 

 brilliant and valuable varieties. 



I feel the importance of improvement so much in this favourite 

 class of spring flowers, that I trust you will find a place for these few 

 suggestions in an early number. H. S. M. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE PETUNIA FROM SEED. 



It is but within these last few years that this admirable class of 

 flowers has been brought into general notice, and during that time 

 great improvement has taken place in the symmetry and substance 

 of the blossoms, which has added much to their beauty, and rendered 

 them still more attractive. The present mode of cultivating them as 

 specimens, together with the peculiar fragrance they possess, unlike 

 any other plant in cultivation, has deservedly won for them a place 

 in the conservatory and the greenhouse, as well as the flower- border, 

 where, under scientific treatment, they form a conspicuous and in- 

 teresting feature, when studded with their noble blossoms of varied 

 colours. The following successful mode of their culture from seed will, 

 I trust, be acceptable to those of your numerous readers who admire 

 the Petunia. About the beginning of March I prepare as much 

 compost as I expect will be wanted for the season, by a mixture of 

 one part decomposed leaf-mould, two parts rich peat, and a portion 

 of silver-sand. At the same time I cleanse the pots or pans intended 

 for use, that all may be sweetened and fit by the time the seed is to 

 be sown, which is about the latter part of the month. 



I commence operations by first sifting a little of the soil for 

 sowing the seed upon, and carefully picking out all grubs and worms 

 before using the same. I then put one inch of crocks at the bottom 

 of the pan for drainage, and cover them with a little moss or coarse 

 peat, to prevent the fine earth from running between, and fill up 

 with the above compost, gently pressing it down with the hand till 

 a smooth surface is obtained, when I sprinkle on the seed, distri- 

 buting it as regularly as possible, and place the pan in a pit or frame 

 where the heat ranges from 60° to 65°, with a sweet and humid 

 atmosphere. In ten days, or a fortnight, the young plants will 

 make their appearance, when care must be taken to preserve them 

 from slugs, woodlice, &c, or the whole pan of plants may be de- 

 voured in one night. Give plenty of air ; and, in order to keep them 

 strong and stocky, raise the pans close up to the g 



