THE FLOKAL WOULD AND GAKDEN GUIDE. 157 



previous crop, it will require nothing but digging ; if not, a little 

 rotted turf or very old stable manure should be added. The pansies 

 should be planted in rows, about one foot apart, and from eight to 

 ten inches apart in the rows. The end of September or be<nnnin<* of 

 October is the proper time for planting to bloom in May or Juue ; 

 for the autumn exhibitions, they will require to be planted in April 

 or May, or even later, according to the climate or exposure. Just 

 before beginning to bloom, a top-dres.-ing of leaf-mould or very old 

 manure will be beneficial ; liquid manure, especially if the least too 

 strong, is apt to cause the colours to run, and the blooms to come 

 flabby and rough-edged. 



Cuttings should be struck whenever they can be got. Side- 

 shoots strike freely all the summer months, in a border on the north 

 side of a wall or hedge, using plenty of sharp sand. When not 

 required for exhibition, the plants should be cut over, and in a few 

 weeks there will be an abundance ot offsets, some of which will be 

 nicely rooted plants ; those that are not rooted will strike much 

 faster than cuttings taken from the branches, and form much more 

 healthy plants. 



The flower-buds ought to be taken off as fast as they appear, until 

 within about three weeks before the day of exhibition. For a few 

 days before the blooms are required they should be shaded with thin 

 cotton or other light fabric, being careful not to place the shading 

 too near the plants, or the colours will be bleached; indeed, they 

 should be shaded as little as possible, and then only from bright sun- 

 shine or rain. Keep a sharp look out for green-fly. It is perhaps 

 safer, however, to use precautionary measures. Make a strono- 

 infusion of tobacco, and with a piece of rag or sponge run a little of 

 it into the heart of each shoot. Repeat frequentlv, or until tbe 

 vermin disappear. 



For exhibition purposes it is advisable to grow a number of 

 plants in pots ; they can be much more easily protected from 

 weather and vermin, and generally speaking the blooms are finer in 

 quality. There are some varieties it is of no use attempting to grow 

 in pots, as their colours almost invariably run. The plants should 

 be put into thumb-pots about the beginning of October, and 

 plunged in sand in a cold frame ; the sashes should not be used 

 unless duriug severe weather. Take the first opportunity after the 

 middle of January of shifting to eight or nine-inch pots. Soil, 

 decayed turf and leaf-mould in equal parts, with a little sand ; it 

 ought to be mixed in the beginning of winter, and thrown into a 

 sharp ridge, in order that it may get all the frost going. Plunge 

 the pots about half their depth in a frame amongst sand or sifted 

 coal-ashes. Never put on the ashes, except during hard frost or 

 drenching rains, until the last week before the exhibition, and not 

 even then unless the weather is wet and variable; the sashes not to 

 be nearer to the plants than two feet, and allowing a free circulation 

 of air all round the sides. 



Pansies in beds are easily protected from snails by putting pieces 

 ol board on edge all round the beds, and occasionally give the 

 boards a touch along the outsido with coal-tar ; the frames can be 



M«y. 



