144 THE FLORIST. 



leaves with a sharp knife, and make a clear cut just through the 

 joint ; the cutting-pot should be drained, and then filled to within 

 an inch of the top with the soil above mentioned ; on the top of this 

 put a layer of white sand, into which put the cuttings, making a hole 

 for their reception with a small stick. When the pot is full, give 

 them a Uttle water with a fine rose ; after which, place a clean glass 

 over them : in this state they may be removed to the propagating 

 house, where the temperature should be 70°. They should be shaded 

 from the sun, which can be done by placing a sheet of coarse paper 

 over the glasses. As scon as the cuttings are rooted, which may 

 be known by their appearance of growth, they must be potted oflf ; 

 but care must be taken not to injure the roots, and they must be 

 shaded again for a week or ten days, until they make fresh ones ; 

 they must then be gradually hardened, and placed with the old plants 

 in the greenhouse. 



ON FLORAL TASTES AND THEIR RESULTS. 



NO. IV. 



That a certain refinement results from intercourse with works of 

 art is manifest to the most cursory observer of the habits of man- 

 kind. When the Roman poet affirmed that " the diligent study of 

 the Uberal arts softens manners, and prevents them from becoming 

 brutal," he merely collected into an aphorism the constant experience 

 of all ages. The arts of poetry and painting, and sculpture and 

 architecture, when understood by a people, have always raised them 

 from barbarism ; and if they have not purified the hearts of their 

 votaries, they have at least refined their manners. Those who read 

 history rightly will always recognise those minor instruments of 

 civilisation to which we refer, which, if insufficient to give to man 

 his highest pohsh, yet grind away the ruder angularities of that piece 

 of breathing and thinking statuary. 



If the contemplation of beautiful forms when wrought out by 

 human skill, and consequently chargeable with human imperfections, 

 produces eflfects so beneficial, the refining influence of Floriculture 

 cannot be doubtful, since it has to do with so much that is surpass- 

 ingly lovely, executed in a manner too elaborate for the imitation of 

 the most skilful human artificer. Let a love of flowers be possessed, 

 and we cannot conceive of the manners being brutal, especially when 

 that love extends to all the interesting processes of their growth, 

 from the sowing the seed to the full development of the lustrous, 

 symmetrical, and scented form which at length rewards our labour. 

 Most amateurs must have been sensible on various occasions of a 

 softening and refining influence resulting from their pursuit, as they 

 have looked, for instance, on a bed of Ranunculuses glowing in their 

 oriental dyes in the morning sun, or caught the fragrance of a par- 

 terre of Pinks whose delicate lacings are spangled with the early dew. 

 Irascible emotions are calmed ; discontent is felt to be out of place ; 

 censoriousness becomes charitable, at least for a season, in such cir- 



