.1870.] SOMETHING ABOUT THE PANSY. 77 



many of them •will be found to have little roots springing from their 

 base, and should be planted apart from the others, as they will get on 

 faster in consequence, and bloom earlier than those destitute of such 

 roots. With a sharp knife trim a few of the under leaves off each 

 cutting, and insert them in lines 6 inches apart, and 3 inches from 

 cutting to cutting in the lines. As the work proceeds, press the soil 

 closely about each line ; and should bright sun occur, give a slight 

 shading for six or eight days — but shade is seldom necessary at this 

 season of the year. For the cutting-bed choose a sheltered spot with 

 a western aspect ; its size must depend on the number of cuttings to be 

 put in, and should be made as follows : upon the surface of the soil 

 place on their edges parallel to each other two boards, about 7 inches 

 in width and 4 feet apart ; fasten them by nailing them to two wooden 

 pins previously driven into the ground, and place a board across at 

 the ends, and fill up the enclosed space, first with 3 inches of coal 

 cinders to act as drainage, the remaining 4 inches with a compost of 

 two parts good garden-soil, one part wood charcoal, burned earth, or 

 charred rubbish of some kind pounded moderately fine, and one part 

 sharp sand, thoroughly mixed ; press this mixture firmly, and make 

 smooth the surface of the bed ; it is then in readiness to receive the 

 cuttings. When hard weather sets in, as a protection against cutting 

 winds nail Spruce or other evergreen branches to the boards sur- 

 rounding the bed ; let their tops meet over the plants, but be careful 

 not to place them so close as to materially exclude the light. 



The beds in which Pansies are to bloom should be trenched and 

 turned over at least twice during the winter. At the second turning 

 spread from 4 to 6 inches of well-rotted manure over the surface, and 

 as the turning proceeds let it be properly mixed with the soil. 



The end of April or beginning of May is the best time to remove 

 the plants to their blooming quarters ; many of them will be in bloom, 

 and at once give some return for the care bestowed upon them. Plant 

 rather deep, and if the soil is in good working order, press it firmly 

 round each plant. The state of the weather will regulate the amount 

 of water necessary, and this must be left to the judgment of the 

 cultivator. 



The first week in June mulch the beds with old manure passed 

 through a coarse sieve ; give a good watering, which must be repeated 

 as often as necessary : remembering that a mere surface sprinkling is 

 worse than useless, therefore give a liberal supply on each occasion. 

 Look over the beds occasionally, and pick off the seed-pods ; stop any 

 shoot that is unduly taking the lead ; and should a plant appear un- 

 healthy, remove it at once, and fill its place with one from the reserve 

 bed. So far as propagation, soil, &c, are concerned, the above remarks 



