1879] NOTES FROM THE PAPERS. 283 



and the pots put under the stage in the stove, or any other place with 

 a cool, moist bottom, so that the roots can absorb a little of the moist- 

 ure, which will keep the bulbs plump, and prevent the watering-pot 

 being used so often during the time they are at rest. They must not 

 at any time during the resting period be allowed to become dust-dry, 

 or the corms will suffer, if not decay altogether. An early growth may 

 be encouraged by potting early in the season, and plunging the pots in 

 a strong bottom-heat, and maintaining a warm, moist atmosphere. 



When any flowers make their appearance on the plants they should 

 be instantly nipped off ; and if an increase of stock is required, the 

 bulbs can be divided with a sharp knife into small bits, with an " eye " 

 to each, after growth has commenced. Dundonian. 



NOTES FROM THE PAPERS. 



Is not the character of the ' Gardeners' Chronicle ' in the matter of 

 "copy" above suspicion? It neither steals from others nor permits 

 its own to be stolen, if it can put in a claim; and it would be absurd to 

 suppose that so learned and expert a body as the editor and staff 

 could be gulled to the extent of having the productions of a well- 

 known author foisted upon them as original ! Oh no ! The poetry 

 of the ' Chronicle ' is " original," and " J. Downie " is its poet ! But 

 " J. Downie's " poetical genius is much more manifest in the matter 

 of selection than in that of retouching. It is bad enough to "con- 

 vey " another man's verses body-bulk ; but the offence is tenfold 

 aggravated when the appropriator spoils these verses by his own 

 silly alterations. Still, if Downie and the ' Chronicle ' will pardon 

 us parodying their style, we would say — 



Wi' his capers naebody can thole, 



For the verses,* ye ken, were just " stole " 



Frae Wingate's sad lay,t 



And the very next day 



The { Chronicle ' printed the whole — 



The whole — 

 The ' Chronicle ' printed the whole ! 



After this we may be prepared for meeting with any of our old 

 acquaintances in the "Original Poetry" corner of the 'Chronicle,' 

 and it would not surprise us to hear that the editor has accepted 

 Shelley's " Sensitive Plant," or Burns's " Wee, modest, crimson- 

 tippit flow'r," from the pen of its gifted correspondent. 



* "Jack Frost" in 'The Gardener's Chronicle,' April 19th, 1879. 

 f 'Annie Weir, and other Poems.' By David Wingate. William Black- 

 wood & Sons, Edinburgh and London : 1866. 



