ON RAISING SEEDLING DAHLIAS. 151 



seeds usually producing the greatest quantity of single flowers, 

 therefore it is advisable to collect both inside and outside tiers. 



Sowing the Seed. — February is the best time for sowing the 

 seeds fill some pots or boxes with light sandy loam and leaf 

 mould, or leaf mould alone, and thinly scatter the seeds, lightly 

 cover them with the same soil finely rubbed through the hands 

 upon them, and place the pots in a gentle hot-bed, or other con- 

 venient place where the seeds will receive warmth, and they will 

 shortly be up. 



As soon as they come into rough leaf, which will be about the 

 end of March, transplant them two inches apart, into other pots 

 or boxes filled with the same compost in which they are sown. 

 About the middle of April they will require again transplant- 

 ing. 



In transplanting this second time, either place them in single 

 pots filled with good rich loam, leaf mould, and rotten dung, or 

 place them in a gentle hot-bed, in the same kind of soil. The 

 former way is the best, although attended with most trouble, 

 because the plants can remain in the pots until turned out entire 

 into the borders, when all danger of frost is over. Keep them 

 still in a gentle heat, and gradually expose them to the open 

 air till they will bear it regularly in the day, but take them in 

 when there is the least danger of frost at night. 



When all danger of frost is over, they may be turned out 

 with good balls into the situations where they are intended to 

 flower. 



Soil. — They will grow well in any good garden soil, but if it 

 be a good strong rich loam, they will flower earlier and better ; 

 also the colours will be more brilliant. 



Manure. — Much dung, however, must not be introduced into 

 light soils for them, or they will make a great quantity of bran- 

 ches, and probably not flower till late in the year, when the frosts 

 are just commencing. But if the soil be suitable, they will 

 flower about the end of July. 



And now, perhaps, some one or other of your correspondents 

 will be kind enough to answer my query. 



A friend of mine lately gave me a flower which he had received 

 in a nosegay, and on enquiring of Flallagan & Co. opposite the 

 Mansion House, was informed it was an Hibiscus. The colour of 

 it was a beautiful kind of nankeen, with a beautiful scarlet at the 



