60 ON THE CULTURE, ETC., OF SEEDLING TOLYANTHUSES. 



be inoffensive to the eye by a distinct separation and due proportion 



of its various parts, will not fail to please and satisfy the possessor in 



a high degree. The rules by which the Polyanthus is generally tested 



are six in number ; the last of which, namely, that of " dying well," 



is perfectly contemptible, since all flowers are mostly found to die 



alike, or to have their certain defoliation conducted by Tegular and 



undeviating laws, if uninjured and undisturbed. The notorious and 



much applauded " Alexander," raised by Pearson, and the best that 



has been shown in the north, is entitled to the same objections. In 



it the eye, instead of being raised bold and fluted, is sunken, irregular, 



and plain; the petals more pointed than round, and the gold or 



yellow colour in a very preponderating disproportion to the other parts 



of the corolla; and I question much that one ever was produced 



which agreed entirely with the required standard. Therefore I beg 



leave, 



" Now lhat the spirit of nature's expanding her wings, 

 To develope the seeds of all glorious things," 



to point out to all that may feel an interest in the pursuit the method 

 I have so long practised with pleasure and success, and which, if 

 strictly adhered to, will not fail speedily to increare their stock with 

 beautiful specimens of this neat little herald of spring, admired alike 

 for its delicate odour, the sweetness of its colouring, and the modest 

 simplicity of its form. 



First, then, a few of the present approved sorts must be obtained 

 and planted in August in an open and moderately rich soil in some 

 airy but shaded part of the garden, and so close together that they 

 may at times be covered, in case of rain or high winds, with a hand 

 glass, and as soon in the spring as the flowers have expanded and 

 arrived at a state of perfection, which may be known by the farina, 

 or fine dust on the summit of the anthers, that dust must be conveyed 

 from one kind of flower to another by a camel's hair pencil, which 

 must be inserted in the tube of the flower, and forcibly twirled round 

 therein, that a portion may be made to descend and rest upon the 

 moistened pistillum below. This must be repeated upon a succession 

 of pips as they expand, and afterwards the whole ought to be carefully 

 tended for a few days, preserving the flowers from wet and hot suns, 

 and allowing a regular supply of air and water to the plants, which 

 will, thus covered, grow as vigorously and ripen their seeds as well 



