Plate 400. 



POLYANTHUS, GOLDEN CROWN AND 

 BBACELET. 



Among t ho-^c flowers which in bygone days used to be yerj 

 extensively cultivated, and which have shared the neglect of all 

 florists' flowers, is the Polyanthus; while the common sorts 

 have been sought after for spring gardening, the beautifully- 

 laced flowers, which come up to the florists' standard, are com- 

 paratively neglected. Of late, however, there have been 

 symptoms of the taste returning, and we have therefore 

 deemed it desirable to give an illustration of two of the va- 

 rieties raised by Mr. Higgins, of Isleworth (already favourablj 

 known for his greatly-improved varieties of Cyclamens), and 

 exhibited by him at the Spring Shows in the Metropolis 

 this year. 



The Polyanthus is a permanent variety of the common 

 Primrose, and, by those who cultivate it carefully, its manage- 

 ment is very similar to that of the Auricula. As soon as they 

 are done blooming, the plants should be shaken out. the roots 

 carefully examined, and all decayed parts cut away ; if the root 

 has become elongated, this should be reduced, and the cut parts 

 dressed with powdered charcoal ; the offsets should be taken 

 off, and the root divided into as many plants as there are crowns, 

 if such increase is required, but, if not. several crowns may be left 

 on the same root. They should then lie repotted in a compost 

 consisting of one part of well-rotted cow-dung, peat earth, or 

 leaf mould, and two parts of good well-rotted pasture loam. 

 with a plentiful supply of silver sand, all being thoroughly well 

 mixed and sweetened by exposure before being used. The 

 pots should bo well watered and kept in a northern aspect, or 

 in a shad) place in hot and sunn) weather, which is apt to 



