THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 45 



BEDDEKS AND BEDDING. 



BY A HEAD GAEDENEB. 



PROPAGATING BEDDING-PLANTS. 



[EABLY all the readers of the Eloral- "World being 

 more or less interested in bedding-plants, I intend, 

 with your permission, to offer a few practical remarks 

 on their propagation in spring, and then enumerate a 

 few of the best in the several classes. That the notes 

 will be of considerable value to those who have not had much prac- 

 tical experience in plant-propagation, I have no doubt, because the 

 furnishing of such a large flower-garden as the one under my charge 

 has rendered it necessary that I should pay much attention to 

 bedding-plants of all classes. As you know, we give nearly all the 

 plants sent out every year a thorough trial, and therefore I am able 

 to speak with confidence respecting the value of the new, as well as 

 of the old and established kinds. 



Nearly all soft-wooded plants, such as verbenas, lobelias, and 

 petunias, can be struck with greater facility in the spring than in 

 the autumn, provided a due amount of care is exercised in their 

 preparation ; but it is necessary to state that they will not bear rougb 

 usage with impunity at this season of the year. Cuttings of soft 

 shoots strike more freely than those that have become hardened ; 

 therefore, it is necessary to place the stock plants in a brisk growing 

 temperature, from three to four weeks before the work of propaga- 

 tion is commenced. They should be placed near the glass, to pre- 

 vent the possibility of the young growth being drawn up weakly ; 

 and if, at the same time, the pots could be placed upon a genial 

 bottom-heat, they will start into growth much quicker. We gene- 

 rally fill one of our pits, which has a four-inch pipe round it, with 

 leaves that were collected the previous autumn, and keep the tem- 

 perature at, or about, 65°. The pots are stood upon the leaves, and 

 the genial heat which arises from them is enough to warm the soil 

 sufficiently to promote a vigorous root-action previous to the growth 

 of the top. Many amateurs do not appreciate the leaves which fall 

 from the trees in the autumn according to their value, and have 

 them consigned to the rubbish-heap, instead of carefully storing 

 them away for spring use. They are not only useful for the purpose 

 here indicated, but they are exceedingly valuable for mixing with 

 stable manure in making up hot-beds for cucumbers, melons, and 

 propagating purposes. A mixture of leaves and manure is much 

 better than manure alone, as the heat is given off in a more gradual 

 manner, and consequently the beds do not become exhausted so 

 soon. 



Immediately the stock plants are placed in a growing tempera- 

 ture, as advised above, preparations must at once be commenced for 

 providing a genial hotbed for their reception. A bed of leaves and 

 manure, after it has become well sweetened, is decidedly preferable, 

 as it can be employed for so many purposes, the most important 



