THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 209 



the principal points to be observed is the proper preparation of the 

 piping bed. Prepare a sufficient quantity of spit dung to form a 

 layer of eight to twelve inches deep ; should it be inclined to dry- 

 ness, let it be well wetted. When in proper condition, beat it 

 firmly together to the depth given above, and bring it to an even 

 surface. 



Upon this the soil for the pipings to root in is to be placed. 



Equal portions of leaf-mould and sand are excellent for the purpose. 



It should be sifted rather fine ; but if such soil is not at hand, supply 



some sweet sandy soil in its place, giving preference to leaf-mould or 



decayed vegetable mould, if it can be conveniently procured. A 



layer of three inches, pressed rather firm, will be quite sufficient ; let 



it be watered, that it may lie close. The cuttings are prepared as 



follows :— Having cut them from the plants, strip off the lower leaves 



to about the third joint from the top of the cuttings ; then with a 



sharp knife cut off the lower part close under the knot or joint 



selected, and when a sufficient number is prepared to fill a glass, 



throw them into water for a few minutes to stiffen, and when ready, 



press them into the soil prepared, to the depth of three-quarters of 



an inch. Give a slight sprinkle of water to settle the soil round 



the stems, and when dry cover them with the glass ; let the latter 



be quite clean before using. They are not long taking root, 



generally about three weeks, varying a little with some sorts. 



It is an old custom, when preparing the pipings, to cut off the 

 top of the foliage ; this is an unnecessary mutilation, for the plants 

 thrive better when the tops are left on. Very little experience 

 will prove this. 



PROPERTIES AND CULTURE OF THE PETUNIA. 



jOR a long time after its first introduction the petunia was 

 looked upon as almost worthless ; indeed, it has been 

 compared to a " mean weed " — a comparison not much 

 to be wondered at, looking back some years at the 

 =5 ^™ 1 flimsy appearance of the flower and the wretched foliage 

 of the best varieties that were produced. At the present time there 

 are to be found amongst novelties, where florists' properties are a 

 secondary consideration, as many beautiful petunias as of any other 

 class of decorative plants, their tints and markings being exquisite. 

 J Jut the want of substance and general deficiencies of form make 

 them unsightly to the florist eye ; but skill and cultivation must 

 arid will get over such difficulties. Indeed, when we look back to 

 the old Magnifica, and at the present Phaeton, or to the old Snow- 

 flake, and the present Fascination, what a contrast — the former ones 

 starry, and apparently half-dead, laying and lapping over and about 

 lor want of substance 5 the latter standing erect, with a convolvulus- 

 like appearance, forming a perfect and symmetrical trumpet-like cup. 

 Let us, then, abandon the word "weedy," and look to florists' 



