THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 307 



of things which are perhaps little better than rubbish in comparison, 

 to make room for a more extended collection. 



Although these remarks are not intended for people who have 

 a good collection and know how to manage it, I will offer a few hints 

 upon propagating them, to enable those who are wise enough to 

 take my advice, and buy in a few, to increase the stock afterwards. 

 The most simple way to increase the Phlox is to take the old stools 

 up and divide them into so many pieces, and plant again ; but that 

 is by no means the best way, nor must it be followed where pot- 

 plants or spikes for exhibition are required. The cuttings can be 

 struck at almost any time, from the period of the plants starting 

 into growth until they sink to rest again. The spring is, however, 

 the most suitable, because the cuttings strike with a greater degree 

 of certainty at that season than at any other. Lift the stools, and 

 after potting them carefully, place in a frame with a growing tem- 

 perature of about 50'. This will start them into growth, and the 

 young tops, as soon as they are long enough, can be taken off and 

 dealt with in the same way as a verbena. These, if potted off, and 

 planted out in May, will flower well the following autumn. At 

 other times, the small non-flowering shoots, which are generally 

 plentiful enough, will strike under a hand-glass, or in a cold frame, 

 although they root more quickly in a gentle bottom-heat, such as 

 would be afforded by the cutting-pots being plunged in a cucum- 

 ber-bed. Pots known as 48's are the most convenient size for using, 

 and they require to be well drained, and the soil should have a layer 

 of silver-sand on the surface. Almost any time during the winter 

 and spring will do for dividing them, but just as they are starting 

 into growth is to be preferred. Take the stool up, and with a sharp 

 spade split off the outside shoots, in clumps of three or four 

 together, and destroy the centre-piece. Division is the best system 

 for amateurs who have little or no knowledge of propagating matters, 

 as there is no possibility of failure, and good spikes of bloom can 

 be had. The stools, when divided, should be planted at once in the 

 same or fresh quarters, as may be most convenient. In either case, 

 let the ground be dug up deeply, and a good dressing of rotten 

 dung or leaf-mould applied ; and if the soil is of a heavy, tenacious' 

 nature, six inches of road- scrapings spread over the surface, and 

 thoroughly mixed with the soil, will be of great service. 



"With few exceptions, the varieties vary so little in height that 

 very little can be done in arranging them with respect to it ; but 

 much can be done in a tasteful disposition of the colours. Where 

 it is desired to excel in the culture of the Phlox, plant those struck 

 in the spring at a distance of eighteen inches apart, and, early in the 

 following February, take the whole lot up, and dig the border, and 

 replant at a distance of three feet apart. At the end of the follow- 

 ing autumn, the two-year-old plants must be taken up and destroyed, 

 or set aside for propagating a fresh stock the following year ; and 

 the one-year plants put in their places to make room for the spring- 

 struck stuff. By this system, the tallest plants are kept at the back 

 and the short ones in the front, as old plants generally grow double 

 the height of the young ones. Less ambitious cultivators may have 



