50 ON THE CULTURE OF THE POLYANTHUS. 



about the latter end of August, or the beginning of September, I 

 plunge them in some saw-dust, placed under a north wall or fence, 

 and always taking care to shelter them from cold, rains, or sleet ; 

 here I let them remain till the beginning of December, I then 

 remove them to where they will get as much of the sun as possible 

 till the latter end of March ; still continuing to protect them by 

 plunging in saw-dust, and covering them with mats in case of very 

 severe or rainy weather. I also protect them from birds by means 

 of netting placed upon some hoops. As soon as the blossoms 

 begin to expand, I remove them into a shady place, and cover them 

 by means of an awning from sun and rain, but give them plenty of 

 manure water. As soon as the bloom is over, I turn them with 

 their balls of earth entire, into abed previously prepared for them, 

 under a north wall. In doing this, I am careful to plant them 

 at least one inch deeper than they were in the pots. I find it best, 

 when this is done, to tie their leaves up in the same manner as is 

 generally practised with lettuces, for a fortnight or so ; by which 

 time they have made fresh roots from every eye under giound, 

 besides, by this plan I can water them without pouring it upon 

 the leaves, and thus avoid the risk of its settling in the crown. 

 Here I let them remain till they are required for potting again ; in 

 the mean time, I give them a good supply of water, more particu- 

 larly in hot dry weather, but not any upon their leaves. 



The present varieties of this lovely little flower which we 

 possess are far from being perfect, and such as florists should not 

 remain satisfied with : they are most or all of tliem what is usually 

 termed " foxey," that is, the yellow is shaded ; the most perfect in 

 this respect is " Prince's Lord Crewe," but then it wants the form 

 of " Buck's George the Fourth." That the raisers of seedling 

 Polyanthuses may be more amply repaid for their trouble, I 

 would suggest to them the propriety of manuel cross impregnation. 

 The most effectual way of accomplishing it is, by extracting the 

 anthers from each pip of the plant that is to bear the seed with a 

 fine pair of tweezers ; then fill the tube with anthers from some 

 other desired kind, these will surround the pistil, and as they dis- 

 charge their pollen will, if carefully stirred up every day, be sure 

 to fertilize it. I raised five plants from seed so crossed two years 

 ago, and out of the five I have two first rate flowers ; the other 

 three were pin-eu-d, but of most beautiful colours and shape. 



