346 THE FLORIST. 



couple of joints, have their points pinched off, to give the plant a bushy 

 form. Should it be desirable to grow the same plar.ts a second season, 

 cut them to within a few inches of the pot, and slightly reduce the 

 supply of water to produce, repose, which will enable them to push 

 attain more vigorously. When the young growths are about two inches 

 long shake away the soil entirely, reduce the length of the roots, and 

 place them in pots comparatively small for the size of the plant, and 

 subject them again to the same treatment. 



As this conmiunication is addressed exclusively to the amateur 

 gardener, I beg to recommend the following species. They are old 

 kinds, it is true, but nevertheless they are good and easily cultivated : — 

 Begonia nitida, white ; manicata, pale pink ; ramentacea, white blush ; 

 parvifolia, white; fuchsioides, scarlet; hydrocotyhfoha, pink; albo- 

 coccinea, scarlet and white ; incurvata, pink ; and spatulata, white. 



A. 



EARLY PEAS. 



" Shall you be able to "gather a dish of Peas in May ?" was a fre- 

 quent inquiry amongst gardeners 40 years ago. The self-gratulation 

 of the one as the question was answered in the affirmative, or the dis- 

 appointed look of the other, fully expressed the importance of having 

 an early dish of Peas ; for, however unfavourable the soil or locality 

 might be, the gardener knew well that if his neighbour had a dish of 

 Peas in May, his failure would be attributed to his neglect or want of 

 skill. Comparison of the means and assistance at his command would 

 be made with those of his more successful neighbour, and remarks 

 elicited tending to sour and make his temper as ungenial as the stiff, 

 wet, undrained soil he had to cultivate ; for it was then the practice, 

 and with many it is still continued, to sow the first crop of Peas in 

 November or beginning of December, notwithstanding the many casu- 

 alties and failures to which they are liable, for with every care bestowed 

 in covering with dry cinder ashes, &c., the mice find them out and 

 carry them off to their winter dormitory, which causes the crop to come 

 up patchy ; the slugs, too, come in for a share of the spoil in defiance 

 of the frequent appHcation of lime, for in some seasons their name is 

 Legion, especially in heavy soils. But even after struggling through 

 these mishaps they are frequently attacked by an audacious flock of 

 sparrows. In vain are all the recommended remedies for such a 

 disaster tried ; threads of all qualities and colours, feathers of every 

 dye, dead cats, live cats, cats painted on boards, rattles, and jingling 

 glasses, are of little avail against these determined freebooters. No, 

 no ; the sparrow is too familiar with man and his ways to take alarm 

 at any subterfuge of that sort ; he must find you a resolute foe armed 

 with your gun before he gives way. The remnant of the Peas, how- 

 ever, stiU excites our hope ; those that were cropped over send up fresh 

 stems ; the season advances, the growing weather of spring sets in, 

 the surrounding vegetation assumes a vigorous and a healthy growth, 

 the carefully tended Peas make progress. At last the embryo blossoms 



