7G THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



vensis, with a line of dwarf bedding plants in front ; then a line of 

 Calceolaria aurea floribimda, and an outer edging of Alyssum 

 saxatile variegatum planted close to the box. I was very much 

 pleased with the fine effect of this arrangement, and made a note of 

 the composition of the border at the time as well worthy of being 

 recorded. William Plester. 



Elsenham Hall Gardens. 



SOMETHING ABOUT THE PANSY. 



The cultivation of the Pansy has occupied the attention of florists for 

 a considerable number of years ; and, comparing the varieties now 

 cultivated with those found in our gardens twenty years ago, the giant 

 stride made in its improvement will be at once admitted. Some years 

 ago this favourite flower was grown more extensively than at the pre- 

 sent time. There are various reasons for the falling off in this respect, 

 the principal one being a desire for bright and decided colours in 

 plants used in the decoration of the flower-garden, consequent upon 

 the style of bedding or massing so much in repute at the present time. 

 It is gratifying to know that the Pansy is again being sought after, 

 and used as a decorative plant in some of the best gardens in the 

 kingdom ; and I am confident that, if as much attention were 

 paid to its particular acquirements as there is to bedding-plants in 

 general, it would outstrip the majority of them in the duration and 

 profusion of its blooms. The Pansy is par excellence the plant for 

 small gardens, and especially with amateurs with limited means at 

 their disposal for wintering half-hardy plants. Few plants j^roduce a 

 greater number of flowers on the same area of foliage ; it is very hardy ; 

 a large number can be wintered in a small compass ; it is easily propa- 

 gated, and it is amongst the first flowers to cheer us in the early spring 

 months, and the last to leave us in the late autumn. 



For the benefit of those readers of the ' Gardener ' who might wish 

 to give the Pansy a trial in the flower-garden, I beg to subjoin a few 

 cultural notes, and if I induce them to become cultivators of my 

 favourite, I shall consider myself more than repaid for my trouble. 

 In reference to its propagation, this may be done at any time from 

 March till December ; but the cuttings to form the principal stock 

 should be put in the last week of September or the first week of 

 October. At this time of the year, if the plants have been grown in 

 suitable soil, and been duly attended to the previous summer, there 

 will be found springing from around the root of each plant a number 

 of little shoots from 1 to 3 inches long — these make the best cuttings ; 



