THE FLOKAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 79 



PANSIES IN POTS. 



IHOSE who have never tried to cultivate the Pansy in this 

 way have little idea what a profusion of really gay flowers 

 is produced by this plant during the whole of the early 

 months ; and with proper attention they will blossom 

 in good character till the latter part of May. As 

 regards cultivation, little need be said, for the Pansy is not difficult 

 to manage. Plants for early flowering should be potted up from the 

 open ground in October. If the weather is open in the last week in 

 January or the first week in February, begin to re-pot generally, 

 using soil consisting of good decomposed turfy loam, rotten manure, 

 a little leaf-mould, and coarse sand, the latter in proportion to the 

 nature of the loam. The soil should not be pressed hard with the 

 hand ; no water should be given for a day or two after potting. 

 Before, as well as after, this operation, the plants must be kept well 

 up to the glass. They should have from two to six shoots, or strong 

 leaders ; and to keep them to these chosen shoots, a number of 

 small ones must from time to time be removed. These cuttings 

 answer the double purpose of strengthening the main shoots, and 

 producing a stock of young plants, which will supply the place of 

 the old ones when worn out. Keep the frames in which they are 

 placed open whenever the weather is favourable, pulling the lights 

 back, or tilting them up. Maintain the plants in a growing state 

 by watering them as often as they require it, going over them for 

 this purpose every day. Plants that have several shoots should be 

 tied into shape, placing the centre branch upright in the middle, and 

 the remainder at equal distances all round, but the plant must be 

 shaped according to the number of shoots ; three leading branches 

 are sufficient if cut blooms only are required. Another advantage 

 is, that the same plants, from the succession of bloom they produce, 

 will answer the double purpose of exhibiting in pots or stands of cut 

 flowers. 



After potting, as above recommended, has taken place, take the 

 earliest opportunity at which the ground is in a fit state, to plant 

 out any stock not required to bloom under glass, or plants that have 

 been wintered in stores, etc., which will bloom through May or 

 June, and produce a stock of good healthy cuttings. By following 

 the simple and inexpensive treatment just recommended, I am sure 

 that those who take the little trouble that it 'entails will not fail to 

 be gratified by a fine display of bloom, which, from its long con- 

 tinuance, will most certainly afford much gratification. 



Miirch. 



