AUGUST. 231 



plant be staked and mulched immediately after planted, and watered 

 regularly when required. On the approach of spring the Rose grub 

 should be closely sought and destroyed ; frequent syringing should be 

 resorted to, and continued throughout the summer, to keep the leaves 

 free from the impurities that settle on them. This I believe to be of 

 the very first importance ; for if the pores of the leaves be allowed to 

 be choked up by adventitious deposits, the functions of breathing, 

 respiring, and digesting are deranged, and the plant quickly falls into 

 feeble health. Lastly, keep the surface of the soil loose by the frequent 

 use of the hoe. These matters carefully attended to, and a judicious 

 selection of sorts, would, I think, secure to town gardening more bril- 

 liancy, more beauty, and more fragrance from a few feet of ground, 

 than are now ordinarily brought off as many yards. But again we say 

 the most pains-taking or cleverest gardening is of no avail against an 

 inappropriate selection of sorts. p Pattt 



Nurseries, Cheshunt, Herts. 



THE GENUS POLYGALA. 

 Some of the gayest and most useful inmates of our greenhouses belong 

 to this genus. And the best varieties are plants of easy culture, which, 

 with even ordinary care, soon form fine large symmetrical bushes, bloom 

 most profusely, and remain longer in beauty than most hardvvooded plants. 

 But, although all the more desirable varieties are of free growth, persons 

 commencing their culture should be careful to procure good healthy 

 promising young plants, avoiding pot-bound leggy things, which are very 

 unfit for beginners. If plants are procured at once, the best situation 

 for them for the next two months will be near the glass in a cold pit or 

 frame, where they can be secured from bright sunshine, and afforded a 

 free circulation of air. If they appear to require more pot room, this should 

 be seen to at once, in order to get them well estal3lished in their pots 

 before winter ; and it will not be advisable to give a very large shift after 

 this season. Attention should be paid to having tlie ball in a nice 

 moist healthy state ; for no plant should be repotted except this is the 

 case, and particularly hardwooded plants. For soil, use good strong rich 

 fibrypeat, with a small proportion of rich mellow turfy loam, well inter- 

 mixed with plenty of sharp silver sand, and some lumpy bits of 

 charcoal, or clean small potsherds to keep it open, and permeable to water 

 and ensure good drainage. If stopping is required, this should be done 

 as soon afler potting as the roots appear to have taken to the fresh soil ; 

 or in the case of plants that do not require repotting, it should be done at 

 once, and the shoots should be kept nicely tied out, in order to induce 

 a bushy habit of growth. 



The best situation for the plants in winter is near the glass in the 

 greenhouse, where they will have all the light possible and a free cir- 

 culation of air on every favourable opportunity. At that season water 

 must be administered very carefully, never giving any until it is abso- 

 lutely wanted, and then sufficient to thoroughly moisten the ball. Turn 



