156 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



their full size, and are wanted to flower finely ; but, on the other 

 hand, each shift should he slight, as over-potting at any stage is 

 nearly as bad as allowing them to become pot-bound. After the 

 middle of August there should be no more repotting, but in the 

 month of April all the specimens should be turned out of their 

 pots, the balls reduced, and much of the old soil be removed, and 

 repotted again either into the same or into pots one size larger. As 

 in the spring they do not evince much activity of growth, they may 

 be pruned back when repotted. This should be done in a way to 

 cause a regular disposition of shoots according to the form required, 

 and as they break freely from old shoots and from the stem, ugly 

 specimens may be pruned very severely, and if kept shaded and 

 frequently syringed, with only a little water at the root, will soon 

 throw out abundance of shoots, which the cultivator can keep or 

 remove as may be needful. At the beginning of June all fast- 

 growing plants which it is desired to form into compact specimens 

 should be stopped; that is, the points of the shoots should be 

 pinched out ; this will cauie them to produce side-shoots, and 

 there will be ample time for these side-shoots to be fully matured 

 before the close of the season. 



The following varieties are the best in cultivation — Andersoni, 

 grows freely, and flowers abundantly ; the variegated-leaved variety 

 of Andersoni is extremelv beautiful and more tender than the green- 

 leaved kind ; Anne de Beaujen, bright rose and white ; Devoniana 

 aerulea multiflora, dark violet and white ; Gloire de Loraine, blue 

 and white, beautiful habit ; Imveratrice Eugenic, amaranth ; Mam- 

 moth, violet and white ; Multiflora, dark violet and white ; Rubra 

 elegantissima, violet purple ; Rubra splendida, rich crimson. 



CULTIVATION OF THE PANSY. 



flAYING- been a grower many years, and a successful 

 exhibitor, I think that without presumption I may give 

 some of the results of my experience for the benefit of 

 those who may require it. Before going further, I would 

 have the novice in the culture of the pansy to understind 

 that a person may be a very successful grower, and yet be very 

 unsuccessful as a competitor. The plants may be ever so well grown, 

 but it requires one who thoroughly understands the properties of the 

 flower to make up a stand for competition ; there is also a great 

 knack in laying down a bloom ; it must be kept in mind that they 

 stand very little handling, and that only of the most gentle descrip- 

 tion. The beginner should therefore direct his attention to both the 

 culture and the markings or properties of the flowers. 



To grow pansies in the open border, a piece of ground should be 

 selected well sheltered from high winds, but at the same time quite 

 open to the sun and air. If a crop of potatoes has just been taken 

 off, so much the better ; if the ground has been manured for the 



