28 ON THE ORIGEN AND CULTURE OF THE HEARTSEASE. 



ment of the propagator, it has made such rapid advances to perfec- 

 tion, that, if we compare the Pansy in its wild state with one of our 

 lately raised varieties, the contrast is tiuly surprising, for not only is 

 the shape almost completely altered, but the colours are so varied yet 

 beautifully blended together. 



Culture. — The most approved method of propagation is by taking 

 off young slips in the autumn, which is the best time, as then the 

 ground and weather are most suitable for the formation of rootlets, 

 on account of its dampness and dulness. About the first week in 

 October a bed is prepared of light but rich soil, raised a little above 

 the path, in order to drain off all superfluous moisture. The cuttings 

 are then made ready, by stripping them of their under leaves, and 

 cutting close below the bottom joint, from which the roots must 

 spring, for if this is not done the cutting will decay to that joint, 

 which frequently destroys the whole. After the bed is prepared, the 

 cuttings are arranged according to their varieties, each sort being 

 marked by a tally stick, numbered or named according to the plea- 

 sure of the owner. The cuttings will be found to be well-rooted in 

 about six weeks, when they may be planted out for blooming in the 

 spring, or potted to keep over winter in a frame. 



Soil and Situation. — The soil in which the Pansy is found to 

 flourish best is a compost of cow-dung one half, fresh loam one 

 quarter part, leaf mould one eighth part, and coarse sand one eighth, 

 but peat soil should on no account be intermixed, as it burns up the 

 Pansy completely. These ingredients should be well mingled 

 together, and purified from worms and slugs by having lime-water 

 frequently thrown over the heap, and in a short time it will be fit for 

 use. 



The situation best adapted for the Heartsease is one which is 

 sheltered from the mid-day sun, but which receives a little in the 

 morning, as then it is not so powerful as to injure the colours. 



Transplanti?ig. — This may be performed at any season, but in 

 doing so an error is prevalent. We see the plants taken up with a 

 ball of earth around them, and planted again with it. Now as every- 

 thing deteriorates the soil in which it grows, and as the Pansy en- 

 tirely pierces every particle of earth its roots can reach, therefore that 

 which we take up with it must be entirely exhausted, and when 

 planted again can receive very little food from its new situation, as 



