General Notices. 271 



Pansy we have, says : " Plants for early flowering should be potted up from 

 the open ground in October. Although a hardy plant that will grow and 

 bloom almost anywhere, yet, like everything else, to produce fine flowers 

 they must not be permitted to take care of themselves. If the weather is 

 open the last week in January, or the first week in February, begin to repot 

 the plants generally, using soil similar tp that in which they have been win- 

 tered, t. e. good decomposed turfy loam, rotten manure, a little leaf-mould, 

 and coarse sand, the latter in proportion to the nature of the loam. When 

 potting, loosen the outside of the old ball, and remove a portion of the top 

 soil ; drain as you would for Carnation? ; after covering the bottom of the 

 pot with crocks, place some of^ the coarsest soil mixed with a little manure 

 over the drainage, and shake all down by striking the pot on the bench. 

 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. The plants we have been 

 describing 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 strength- 

 ening the main shoots, and producing a stock of young plants, which will 

 supply the place of the old ones when worn out. Plant out any increase 

 as soon as it is rooted, and from these again continue to propagate by put- 

 ting in any side-shoots as cuttings, when they are sufficiently long for that 

 purpose. Propagating the Pansy is a simple and inexpensive operation ; 

 almost any beds or borders will answer for planting out the young stock. 

 We recommend that, from first to last, a considerable number should be 

 raised from cuttings, or small pieces taken from the parent plant, with roots 

 attached, in order that there may be a good selection for the purpose of pot- 

 culture. In this lies the secret of successful cultivation ; without a choice 

 of plants no good will be effected." Having pointed out what should be 

 aimed at to ensure success, it will not be out of place to allude to what, in 

 many instances, causes failure. The time for taking cuttings is, in many 

 cases, too long delayed ; if the old plant does not go off" altogether, the cut- 

 tings become sickly and pippy ; therefore never be without a young stock. 

 Strong growers, with large flowers, are best adapted for pots. Keep the 

 frames open whenever the weather is favorable, 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 the 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, &c., which will bloom through May or June, and pro- 



