72 THE FLORIST. 



possible in the beds, in which they are forwarded previous to the time 

 when they are potted up for winter. If cuttings can now be had, the 

 present is a good time to take them with this view ; but, even from 

 plants which have been protected during winter, these are as yet not 

 very numerous. Those shoots which come from under the soil, whether 

 suckers or from the lower part of the stem, are preferred to such as are 

 to be had from the plant above ground : the former are more sure to 

 root freely than the latter, and are less pithy ; these are struck either in 

 pots, in a frame, or in soil, under hand glasses, and are not planted out 

 in the bed until they are well rooted. The bed for their reception is 

 prepared in the autumn ; and since the goodness of the plants at 

 potting up time depends upon the soil in which they have been grown 

 being suited to them, and their being placed in such a situation as the 

 Pansy thrives best in during summer, care is had to fulfil these neces- 

 sary particulars. 



The soils for the bed may be of the same description as those which 

 have been recommended for the pots, with the exception of the substi- 

 tution of a more adhesive for the sandy loam which has been spoken 

 of; indeed an ordinary garden soil, with the addition of a heavy 

 dressing of the leaf-mould, will answer the purpose well enough; 

 but the proper position of the bed is of much moment — a cool situation, 

 that is, one not exposed to the burning sun during the summer months, 

 should be selected. The plants, during this period, must not be allowed 

 to flower, but the blooms be regularly picked off, which will tend greatly 

 to strengthen the plants and to keep them short jointed and dwarf. 

 Neither should they at any time suffer from drought ; the object being 

 to obtain as large a specimen as possible for the pots. If they do well, 

 many, at potting time, will be ready with from fifteen to twenty or even 

 more stems, of pretty even growth, less than the former number cannot 

 make a specimen ; upon the number of the stems, that of the flowers 

 to be had in bloom at the same time, depends. It is not desired to 

 have those plants which are grown merely for the sake of cut blooms as 

 large as those which are intended for exhibition in pots. Indeed, I 

 know it to be the opinion of some growers, that large plants do not 

 throw as fine individual blooms as smaller ones. This may be the case ; 

 still I have seen instances to the contrary — one plant in particular I 

 well recollect, which was shown in this neighbourhood by the grower 

 whose system of culture I am giving. This (Ophir, the variety), 

 measured two feet in diameter, had twenty-one stems, and from forty 

 to fifty full sized blooms on it, from which at least twenty might have 

 been selected fit for a stand. The smaller plants do not require the 

 same time in the bed, so that those struck, say in June, will be early 

 enough. After being planted out in the bed, the same treatment as 

 that recommended for the larger ones should be pursued. 



About the beginning of October, both large and small should be placed 

 in their winter pots ; the size of the pot for the larger ones must be re- 

 gulated by that of the plant, six inch will be large enough in all cases, a 

 much less size will do for the smaller. Good drainage should be secured in 

 the usual way, and pretty deep potting be resorted to ; let them be kept close 

 for a few days in a frame ; after that, the sashes must be removed on all 



