84 OX THE CULTURE OF THE TOLYANTHUS. 



In some spare clumps I plant Dahlias three and a half feet apart, 

 observing to make a tasteful arrangement of the colours, and to place 

 of course the tallest plants in the centre. I then plant Verbenas (and 

 Heliotropes when more variety is desired) in the same clump, in such 

 a manner that when their flower is in full perfection they will com- 

 pletely cover the ground ; except where the Dahlias, rearing their 

 lovely blossoms contemporaneously above them, present a galaxy of 

 floral beauty that is almost enchanting. I might add that I cut away 

 the lower branches of the Dahlia about fifteen inches from the ground, 

 to allow of the Verbenas spreading closely around it. 



I have been very successful of late years in the preservation of my 

 Dahlia roots during winter. The method I have adopted I will dis- 

 close at some future and fitter period, for at this season the mind and 

 attention of floriculturists are not so much directed to the preserva- 

 tion of the roots as to the cultivation of the flowers. 



[We thank our respected correspondent for his kindness, and shall 

 be glad of any further communications. — Conductor.] 



ARTICLE IV. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE POLYANTHUS. 



BY H. 



As I am now going to treat on the culture of the Polyanthus, I shall 

 first describe the various properties they ought to have, viz. — The 

 stem should be quite upright and moderately tall and strong in pro- 

 portion, with a fine large bunch of flowers at the head, on short 

 pedicles, and the stem should be strong enough to support them 

 without aid. The eye which in a good flower is called thrum-eyed, 

 in the centre of the flower should be large and full so as to cover the 

 hollow part, and it should also be very bright ; if this is not the case, 

 the flower, though it is in its natural state, will have what is called a 

 pin eye, which by all florists is rejected as not being worth the trouble 

 of cultivating. 



I shall next proceed to the manner of cultivating it. The com- 

 position of its soil should be a large quantity of sandy loam, with a 

 small quantity of cow or horse-dung, and a little leaf mould, in the 

 following proportions, viz., one-half of sandy loam, one-quarter of 



