338 THE FLOEAL WOBLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



early in the spring, or before, if the weather is open, and make good 

 plants in the summer. Offsets may still be taken and placed in the 

 position they are intended to bloom, particularly if they have strong 

 roots ; but, as we have repeatedly stated, they will not make such 

 fine plant?, or produce such choice blossoms, as strikings. 



THE FUCHSIA FROM SEED. 



HE object of most persons who cultivate plants of this 

 kind, from seeds, being a desire to obtain some new 

 variety of superior quality, more than that of increasing 

 the number, the greatest care should be observed in 

 selecting seeds from the best varieties as the surest 

 means of success. Form is one of the principal properties to be 

 studied ; if in the light class, choose those that are of the purest 

 white in the tube, and sepals stout, broad, and well reflexed, so 

 that the corolla, of whatever shade of colour it may be, is fully in 

 view, and well expanded. As the above properties are not at all 

 times to be found in one variety, assistance may be obtained from a 

 second or third kind, possessing in a greater degree that property 

 which may be deficient in the first selection. For instance, suppose 

 a flower to possess a remarkable fine tube and sepals, but is deficient 

 in the corolla, then select one that has a fine corolla, and from the 

 latter take the pollen, and apply it to the stigma of that which has 

 the first-named two properties most perfect. When the seed is ripe 

 the berries should be gathered, break them between your fingers, 

 and wash out the pulp ; this done, spread the seed out thinly on 

 paper till dry, when it may be put away till the proper time of sow- 

 ing, which is in the beginning or middle of March. Sow in pots or 

 boxes, and as soon as they are an inch high, transplant them into 

 small pots, shifting them into larger as often as they may require 

 till they flower ; but it may be observed the plants will flower in 

 sixty size pots, and where room is an object, they may be allowed 

 to remain until they show flower, and any that promise well be then 

 shifted and encouraged by more root room and good soil, which 

 should be composed of loam of a mellow quality for one half, and 

 equal portions of well-rotted horse-manure and leaf-mould forming 

 the other half ; if the loam be too strong, add a little silver sand to 

 reduce it. The whole should be well mixed together before using. 

 Having remarked on the light class of fuchsias only, let it be under- 

 stood that the same practice will apply to the dark kinds ; which of the 

 two is to claim the palm, I am at a loss to decide. Both beautiful, 

 both admirable, I can only say with the poet, " Happy should I be 

 with either, were the other dear charmer away." 



