WST OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 147 



t3ie buds will be seen to have made vigorous shoots, the earth 

 may then be removed and each bud with its fibres separated from 

 the main layer, by taking the shoot off with half the stem attached 

 to it, the whole length of the stem being still entire it may be 

 replaced in the earth again, and a fresh set of young shoots more 

 plentiful than the first may be expected. 



I have also tried grafting with success, the operation is the same 

 as with Dahlias, namely, a portion of the stem is inserted into one 

 of the tubers of the same or any other variety of Pceony. 



Cuttings would also strike in light rich soil in the shade without 

 cover; but I have never been very successful in that mode of pro- 

 pagating this plant ; but if they are inserted into the soil about 

 three inches below the surface, and plunged into a light hot-bed, 

 they will soon shew themselves above the ground, and make fine 

 plants, but it is always a practice with me to plant only one half 

 of the stem, and placing it longitudinally. By these various ways 

 this beautiful plant may be propagated abundantly, and will most 

 likely be the means of lessening the expence which at present 

 must prevent many from possessing it. 



An Ardent amateur. 



ARTICLE III. 



ON THE CULTURE, AND A LIST OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS WHICH 

 WILL THRIVE IN THE AIR, AND SMOKE OF CITIES. 



EY WM, EOYCB. 



No person having given the information desired by "A would be 

 Suburban Gardener" (Vol. viii. p. 721) I now attempt to do so 

 and although I regret that the subject has not fallen into abler 

 hands, still, I hope the motive, and not the value of the offering, 

 may propitiate its acceptance. The two principal causes of the 

 want of success attending the cultivation of plants in town gardens 

 are, the want of a proper soil, and a congenial air : the former is 

 generally composed of too much lime and brick rubbish, which is 

 any-thing but good for showy herbaceous plants. I would first 

 ascertain if such were the nature of the soil. Should it prove to 

 be of those materials, take it out of the clumps and borders to 

 the depth of a foot, and fill them up with fresh loam, mixed with a 



