130 ON SOILS AND COMPOSTS. 



stronger than those produced from the seeds of 1831. I must 

 here beg to observe, that not having gathered or saved the seeds 

 myself, I am unable to state whether those of 1831 were so good, 

 or as sufficiently ripened, as the other. 



After the seedlings appear in second leaf, they should be potted 

 oft' in good rich soil, and when about H ft. high, should be turned 

 out against harbours, alcoves, basket handles, &c. ; where, with 

 proper care and attention in training, they make a pleasing appear- 

 ance. Some potsherds should be mixed with the soil in which 

 they are planted, as the plants, being of rather a succulent nature, 

 will rjrobably receive benefit from the superabundant moisture 

 being drained away. I have seen this climber planted in conser- 

 vatories against thepilastres and trellis-work ; but it is not suitable 

 for those departments, being of too hasty and straggling a growth, 

 and very apt to become naked aud unsightly at the bottom of the 

 stems. 



Instead of the Calempelis scaler being raised from seed, I should 

 advise cuttings of short-jointed, ripened wood, to be taken oft' in 

 autumn, struck in pots of sand in dry heat, and then removed to a 

 house of the temperature of 40 or 45 deg. Fahr., there to remain 

 till wanted the following summer. 



My reason for recommending cuttings instead of seeds is, that 

 I have succeeded better in striking cuttings (as above) this last 

 autumn, than in raising plants from seed the preceding spring. 

 Another reason is, that strong plants may be sooner obtained by 

 cuttings than from seed. By being raised in autumn, they have 

 also a longer time to increase in size. 



Francis Ashford. 



London, January '2\st, 1835. 



ARTICLE VI. — Observations on Soils and Composts. 

 Communicated by R. T. W. T. 



The clearest and most practical " Treatise on Soils and Com- 

 posts" is decidedly that "by Thos. IIaynes, of Oundle, North- 

 amptonshire," who has passed a long life in Horticultural pursuits; 

 and as the majority of your subscribers are probably unacquainted 

 with it, an extract or two, therefore, may not be unacceptable, and 

 will, I hope, induce some to possess the book itself. 



