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FLORICULTURE. 



We believe there is not a lover and cultivator of flowers that 

 would not become a raiser of seedlings, if he once made the 

 attempt; for although year after year he might find his pro- 

 ductions surpassed by those of others, yet the hope of succeed- 

 ing some day would lead him to persevere. To those who 

 may feel inclined to make the attempt we would offer a little 

 advice, founded on an experience of many years ; and if our 

 readers will follow it, they will find their reward in the avoid- 

 ance of many difficulties and disappointments. First-rate 

 productions raised from seed are almost invariably obtained 

 from large numbers; — for instance, Auriculas, Polyanthuses, 

 Pansies, Tulips, &c., which require no glass to cover them in 

 their seedling-beds, rarely yield a variety surpassing their pre- 

 decessors, and every year increases this difficulty. The same 

 may be said of Fuchsias, Calceolarias, Pelargoniums, and all 

 those species requiring heated glass erections to cultivate 

 them in, and of Cinerarias, Avhich can be wintered well in 

 pits and frames. Since, then, large numbers must be raised 

 to give any chance of success, it behoves the amateur to con- 

 sider well what room he can afford for their cultivation in the 

 best manner ; for a crowded, half-starved condition is the ruin 

 of all young stock, whether animal or vegetable. There is no 

 difficulty in obtaining seed ; the difficulty lies in appropriating 

 suitable space and time for the after-management of the 

 plants. This clearly understood, the next thing the amateur 

 has to do is, to procure, if he has not already got them, some 

 of the finest varieties in present cultivation, discarding every 

 thing else with an unsparing, unpitying eye. From these alone 

 he must save his seed ; and he must carefully note and mark 

 the produce of the different plants ; for it will be found that 

 some of the most superior flowers in every respect never 

 bring a good seedling, whilst some with glaring defects are as 

 prolific of a fine offspring. 



The raiser of seedlings alone knows what a fund of en- 

 joyment the pursuit ever afibrds him. At this sweet time 

 of year, when the April showers are refreshing our seedling- 

 beds, and filling our glass erections with moisture so congenial 

 to their tenants, with what pleasure do we return to our gar- 

 dens ! All is promise and expectation. If we have disap- 

 pointment in quarters where we had hoped the most, we have 

 gratifications where we least expected to find them. 



All that can be said in praise of the game of chess can be 



VOL. III. NO, XXIX. K 



