252 Sojne ReinarJcs on the use of the Poli/anthus. 



The varieties are exceedingly numerous, although very few, and 

 I mav say scarcely twenty-iive named ones, are to be found in our 

 gardens. This is much to be regretted, as the brilliancy of their 

 colors, eclipsed but by few plants, and their early flowering, ren- 

 ders them one of the most interesting as well as splendid ornaments 

 of the flower border. The introduction of the fine kinds of the 

 English florist's, are particularly desired, and new varieties should 

 also be procured, if possible, by repeated experiments in sowing the 

 seed. 



Some two or three years since I sowed seeds of the Polyanthus 

 which were procured from Holland : they were sown in the hot-bed ; 

 but this was too warm a situation for them, as they did not vegetate 

 well ; and since, I have invariably planted them in the green-house, 

 where scarcelv a seed fails to grow. When the plants had made 

 two or three rough leaves, they were transplanted into small pots, 

 and placed in a frame, partially shading them from the mid-day sun. 

 They grew very fast, and as soon as the weather permitted, the 

 plants in the pots were set out in the garden in a shady situation ; 

 care was taken that they were properly watered, as the Polyanthus 

 is exceedingly impatient of aridity. 



On the approach of winter the plants were placed in a green- 

 house until spring ; they began to flower early, and in May they 

 were turned out of the pots into the flower border : they grew 

 rapidly, and each plant by the first of June, had made three or 

 four oifsets ; they were then separated and set around the garden. 

 None of the varieties proved to be worthy of cultivation as a select 

 flower ; and any one who intends to raise new varieties, must expect 

 such disappointments ; they all possessed, however, considerable 

 beauty, enough to entitle them to a place in ever}- garden. 



The last season the roots were parted and set in a row near the 

 box edging ; they are now growing vigorously, not a leaf having 

 been injured during the past cold winter, and are throwing up large 

 trusses of blossom buds, some of which m warm situations are in 

 flower. Their fine appearance suggested their use as a border edg- 

 inof, and there is no doubt but they will answer that purpose better 

 than any other flower. In England the Daisy with its varieties, and 

 the Gentiana acaulis, are frequently made use of as edgings ; but the 

 former will not stand our hard \\inters, and the latter I think will 

 not, although I have not yet tried the experiment, as it is an alpine 

 plant. The culti\ation of the Polyanthus as a florist's flower, toge- 

 ther with the raisins of new varieties from seed, will form a commu- 

 nication of itself at some future time. If these few hints should call 

 attention to the Polyanthus as an edging plant, the success attending 

 the same, from those who try the experiment, would be gladly read. 



Yours, 



An Amateur. 

 Cambridge, May I6th, 1835, 



