336 THE GARDENER. [July 1870. 



credit, and at a price something less than half that the public pay for them retail. 

 The girls frequently increase their profits by dividing every bunch of fifty they 

 receive into two of twenty-five ; but this is done only very early in the year, or 

 when the flowers are scarce. 



There are large Violet farms in the South of France (that of M. l'Hermine in 

 particular), of more than 100 acres, near Nice. Last year the season there was 

 so unfavourable that the Paris market could not be supplied from its customary 

 source. In England, on the contrary, the weather was remarkably mild ; and 

 Violets were so abundant at Mitcharn that they were forwarded by the night 

 French mail, and sold freely in the Paris morning market. 



The Violets are cultivated at Mitcham in single roots, and are not allowed to 

 run together. Nothing deteriorates these flowers more than when they become 

 bedded together. They then grow leaves instead of blossoms. The roots require 

 dividing every other year at least. 



The Importance op Mulching. — Never before so much as during last sum- 

 mer was I convinced of the beneficial results of mulching. A number of strong 

 plants of Cauliflowers were turned out in April, and, as many will remember, a 

 time of severe drought set in, and plants of this description received a great check — 

 in fact, made no growth. Anxious to have my Cauliflowers ready for table as 

 early as possible, mulching was resorted to, and the muck-heap was had in 

 requisition ; accordingly, 4 or 5 inches of rotten manure was laid about the plants, 

 and liberal supplies of guano-water given at regular intervals. Suffice it to state, 

 the plants soon made vigorous growth, and ultimately produced fine heads of 

 great size and superb quality, even surpassing some that nature had treated more 

 liberally with a supply of moisture at the right moment. — Up North. 



Polyanthuses (R. T.) — Polyanthuses may be parted at the end of this 

 month : it would perhaps have been better had they been parted in May. When 

 divided, be sure to plant them deep enough, so that the new fibres, which will 

 come out just beneath the leaves, may at once enter the soil, instead of being 

 exposed to the ravages of slugs, &c. In dry weather these troublesome insects 

 take shelter beneath the foliage of the Polyanthus, and, if not looked after, will 

 not only devour the young roots, but also eat holes in to the stems of the plants. 

 Earthing up and frequent stirrings of the surface in hot weather will destroy 

 numbers and prevent much mischief. 



Clematis John Gould Veitch (Mrs Watson). — It is a true double-flowering 

 Clematis, and you should obtain it. It is an early-flowering variety, as it has 

 been exhibited in bloom in March and April. It is also hardy, and recommended 

 for planting out of doors. It is a profuse-flowering kind, and the flowers are of a 

 pale bluish mauve colour, and certainly very charming. It is an imported plant, 

 and came direct from Japan. 



Ageratum Imperial Dwarf. — This cannot be too highly recommended as a 

 dwarf blue bedding plant. It is a really dwarf Ageratum, growing from 6 to 9 

 inches; of a capital branching habit and very fine blooming. A gentleman who 

 has put out an edging of over twenty plants, mentioned it to me the other day in 

 flattering terms. Since then I have seen it bedded out, and can bear testimony 

 to the value of his recommendation. — P. R. 



Name of Plant. — "A Tourist" writes: "What is the name of the pretty 

 dwarf yellow-flowering plant now blooming so profusely on the banks of the Lon- 

 don and North- Western, and other railways?" We should think, Lotus cornicu- 

 latus. Can you send us a specimen ? 



