On the Cultivation of the Daphne. 297 



fine dark green foliage, presents a beautiful contrast with 

 the tufts of small pinkish colored flowers, independent of 

 the delicious fragrance which is exhaled from them, and 

 which is admired by all the visiters who call to see the 

 place. I have seen but very few persons, who had not a 

 decided preference for this flower, over all others in the 

 green-house. There is a variety variegated in the foliage, D. 

 odora, var. striata, which some cultivators say is much su- 

 perior in point of flavor, to the original sort ; I have grown 

 this variety, and must confess, that I like the old plant 

 equally as well as the new, as I have not been able to per- 

 ceive, after repeated observations, that the odor was in any 

 degree superior. Nevertheless, it is well worth growing ; 

 the flowers have a little darker tinge of color, and also 

 grow somewhat larger than the original species. 



I prefer the first or second week in August, for the propa- 

 gation of the daphne. If a quantity of plants are desirable, 

 I would recommend the use of a single light cucmnber 

 frame ; such a frame as is generally preferred by gardeners, 

 for the raising of early cucumber plants in the spring ; this 

 is preferable to one of larger dimensions ; supposing that 

 there is no crop in the frame at the time, or if there is, it 

 is probable that the frame could be dispensed with ; choose 

 a place that is well shaded with trees, or one with a north 

 aspect, either of which, if easy of access, will answer the 

 purpose ; having decided upon the location, about a fort- 

 night before you intend putting in the cuttings, make up a 

 slight hot-bed, with oak leaves and stable manure, about 

 twelve or fifteen inches in height, and a few inches larger, 

 in length and breadth, than the frame intended to be used, 

 covering the manure over with soil four inches deep ; when 

 this is done, place the frame on the bed, and close it with 

 the sash — and so let it remain, for a day or two ; then by 

 giving plenty of air for a week or ten days, it will be ready 

 for the cuttings ; I think they callus and strike root much 

 sooner, with the aid of a little bottom heat. The next thing 

 is to procure what is termed the thumb pot ; no gardener 

 ought to be without this kind of pots, as they will be found 

 to be of much service in the propagation of a great variety 

 of plants ; having the pots at hand, and the compost, which 

 should be formed of one half well decomposed leaf soil, or 

 any other kind of rich vegetable soil, and sand well mixed 

 together, place a piece of broken pot or oyster shell over 

 the hole at the bottom of each pot, for drainage ; then fill 

 them up to the rim, and give the whole a gentle watering — 

 the cuttings can now be taken from the old plants and pre- 

 pared as follows : — take off" a few of the lower leaves, and 

 make the cut under the petiole of the leaf or bud, leaving 



VOL. I. NO. VIII. 



