General Notices. 653 



■with a view to perpetuate them. There are many singular and pleasing 

 varieties that do not come within the arbitrary rules by which florists' flow- 

 ers are judged, which, nevertheless, are worth retaining for common border 

 decoration ; but, if a rigid adherence to these rules is determined upon, then 

 the flowers must be as nearly round as possible, expanding their petals flat- 

 ly ; crumpled petals, with ragged edges, are points that will justify their 

 being cast aside. Round flowers, with flat petals, must always have firm- 

 ness of texture to recommend them ; a flimsy flower in the fancy, although 

 possessing other properties, is universally discarded. The eye should be 

 concentrated, and not starry ; the colors soft and clearly defined. These 

 instructions will enable the amateur to select the right kinds from his seed- 

 ling beds. As soon as he has determined upon those worth retaining, prop- 

 agation should be commenced, and this is a simple matter. Cuttings taken 

 oflfat the second and third joints, will root readily, placed behind a hedge 

 or wall, on the north side, without any protection whatever. Insert them 

 two inches apart, and one inch deep, in soil of alight, sandy texture, and 

 they will root in a few weeks. Take care that all damp leaves are removed 

 as soon as they appear. 



To produce a bed of choice pansies, select a north aspect, with a cool 

 bottom ; soil of medium texture, and moderately enriched, should be pre- 

 ferred for the production of large flowers. Keep the soil frequently stirred 

 around them, and be careful that the border is free from wireworm. If the 

 plants are put out in September, they will be established before winter ; 

 and I have frequently found that plants so treated get through the winter 

 quite as well as those coddled in frames. As their propagation is easy, de- 

 pend exclusively upon young plants for the following season's bloom. 

 Seeds should only be saved from beds of selected flowers possessing the 

 best qualities ; for, it is only by following this up that improved kinds to 

 any extent can be obtained ; and, as seed is readily produced, it is not 

 worth while saving that from doubtful or indiflferent sorts. — [Gard. Chron., 

 1849, p. 693.) 



On (he Management of Fruit Trees. — The present being the most im- 

 portant time of the year, as regards the planting and root management of 

 fruit trees, a few remarks on the subject may not be inappropriate, it being 

 one of the branches of gardening in which there is still much to learn, and 

 likewise much to be unlearned of the practice of our predecessors, as re- 

 gards deep borders and the general system of management ; but science 

 and practice now demonstrate that a well-drained bottom, and a moderate 

 quantity of soil, is sufiicient for the proper cultivation of fruit trees. 



But in the following up of this system, there are still many errors com- 

 mitted, such as digging out pits in soil that is not considered exactly suita- 

 ble for the growth of a given tree, and filling the said pit with the requisite 

 soil. The first evil that results from this system of planting is, that the 

 trees grow luxuriantly for a few years, until they come in contact Avith the 

 original soil ; and then the hopes of the cultivator are destroyed, just when 

 the tree is beginning to bear, by the appearance of some of the evils to 

 which fruit trees are subject. The second evil is, especially if the situa- 

 VOL. XV. — NO. XIT. 70 



