466 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



employed in cases of this kind. The ground may be carpeted with 

 the beautiful little annuals, Sedum ciuruleum, S. dasyphyllum, and 

 others easy to obtain and easy to keep, of similar dwarf close habit ; 

 and the Echeveria, if planted at free distances over the surface which 

 these will form, will have a pleasing and interesting effect, a combina- 

 tion of soft colouring and striking form. I have observed, as doubtless 

 many have, that the plants vary in character considerably from seed. 

 They vary in the size and shape of the leaves, some being narrower, 

 some broader, some crisped or wavy, and others quite smooth on the 

 margin ; and the depth of metallic tinge varies as much as anything. 

 Whatever value these qualities may have, it can only be secured and 

 perpetuated by means of cuttings. This mode of propagation is not 

 often resorted to. It appears to be almost the uniform practice of all 

 to rear what stock is wanted from seed. It is much less troublesome 

 to increase it by means of cuttings — no kind of plant is more easily 

 struck. The treatment is simple, and the necessary appliances are 

 common to the worst-appointed gardens. Leaves make the best cut- 

 tings — those formed of flowering-shoots are apt to spindle too much, 

 and be leggy. The leaves of flower-shoots just begun to push are the 

 best ; they are quite large enough, and can generally be got in sufficient 

 quantity without injury to the stock plants. The leaves should be 

 pulled, not cut off, and no trimming of the base will be found either 

 necessary or desirable. If any cut or wound is made on the leaf in 

 any way, it had better be laid aside to dry for some time before being 

 put in the soil — a few hours will do. Any good sandy soil will do for 

 striking them in — they will root in anything. A cold frame to which 

 air is continually admitted is the best place to strike them in, and 

 they may be put in either pots or boxes ; they receive less check, how- 

 ever, in being potted on from the former if they are small thumbs or 

 sixties. Whether pots or boxes be used, it will be best to plunge them 

 so as to do away with the necessity of watering till the roots are struck, 

 after which they may be given water sparingly as they require. Much 

 water and a close atmosphere are conditions to be avoided by all means. 



W. S. 



THE CULTIVATION OF HARDY FRUITS. 



{Continued from page 416.) 

 THE STRAWBERRY. 

 The Strawberry is one of the finest and most esteemed of aU the products of the 

 vegetable kingdom. 



The propagation of the Strawberry may be eflfected by one of three ways — viz. , 

 by seed, by runners, or by divisions of the old plant. The last - mentioned 



