262 ON THE CULTURE OF THE HEARTSEASE. 



natural inference is, that it is only by continually enriching the soil 

 that they can be produced in the desired state of perfection. This is 

 indeed the "secret," and in this consists the " art and mystery" of 

 pansy culture. Having therefore considered these points, we shall 

 be enabled to judge, " with understanding," on the immediate sub- 

 ject of this paper, and on which the following remarks, founded on 

 experience, are offered : — 



Having fixed upon a suitable situation (which, if possihle, should 

 be open to the sun until the middle of the day only), mark out a bed 

 three or four feet wide, allowing one foot to each row of plants. 

 Throw out the soil to the depth of eight inches; and, after having 

 well loosened the bottom, put in a layer, at least two inches thick, of 

 fresh * strong, stable manure, as free from straw as possible; and, 

 before replacing the soil taken out, mix with it a portion of horn-dust 

 and shavings (one-half of each), in the proportion of at least a 

 quarter of a peck to every moderate-sized barrowful of mould, which, 

 if very adhesive, should be lightened by the addition of a little white 

 river or sharp pit sand, — red sand generally contains oxide of iron, 

 which is injurious to vegetation. Having well pulverised the soil 

 thus prepared, fill up the bed to the height of six inches above the 

 manure, slightly covering the whole with fine rich mould, taking 

 care that the bed so filled up shall be at least three inches above the 

 paths. Rake the surface smooth and even, and prepare for planting. 

 Where a choice of plants can be had, preference should be given to 

 well-rooted cuttings, choosing those with thin, smooth, solid, green 

 or light-coloured stems, as those with thick, yellow, ribbed stems are 

 much less likely to endure through the winter, or to grow freely in 

 the spring. If the bed is three feet wide, plant one row down the 

 centre, ten inches apart, and another row on each side, six inches 

 from the edge. The roots should not be more than three inches 



* By fresh manure is meant such as has not lain sufficiently long together to 

 have undergone fermentation, by which process a considerable quantity of car- 

 bonic acid gas (which enters largely into the composition of plants) is disengaged 

 and driven off, and the quality of the manure thereby deteriorated. The appli- 

 cation of horn-dust to the soil is beneficial, not only on account of its strong 

 stimulating qualities, but also from its particles undergoing considerable expan- 

 sion during decomposition, by which the soil is kept light and airy, forming a 

 kind of drainage during the wet season, and facilitating the extension of the 

 voung roots. 





