APRIL.] FLOWER GARDEN, 341 



Polyanthuses. 



Polyanthuses blow at the same time, and, the fine kinds, require 

 nearly the same treatment as auriculas, both with respect to soil 

 and situation ; they are like the latter, very impatient of heat and 

 drought, and agree with a much greater portion of moisture : they 

 are fond of shade, and will not succeed well, when exposed to our 

 summer heats in a warm situation ; at least, so as to blow, even in 

 tolerable perfection, the ensuing season. 



The fine kinds may be grown in the same sized pots, and in the 

 same compost as auriculas, with the addition of more loam ; and 

 the common or more indifferent sorts, may be planted in coal shady 

 beds or borders, being tolerably hardy, and having more to fear 

 from the summer heats than the winter frosts. 



Their propagation is by slips and seed, at the same time and in 

 the same manner, as directed for auriculas. 



A Description of the Properties of a fine POLTAN^HUS. 



Its properties are, in most respects, similar to those of a fine au- 

 ricula ; that is, the stem, peduncles, or foot-stalks, and formation of 

 the bunch or truss; therefore, a description of its pips, or corollas, 

 only remains to be given in this place. 



The tube of the corolla above the calyx, should be short, well 

 filled with the anthers or summits of the stamens, and terminate 

 fluted, rather above the eye. 



The eye should be round, of a bright clear yellow, and distinct 

 from the ground colour ; the proportion as in the auricula through- 

 out ilie flower. 



The ground colour is most admired, when shaded with a light 

 and dark rich crimson, resembling velvet, with one mark or stripe 

 in the centre of each division of the rim, bold and distinct from the 

 edging down to the eye, where it should terminate in a fine point. 



The pips should be large, quite flat, and as round, as may be con- 

 sistent with their beautiful figure, which is circular ; excepting those 

 small indentures between each division of the rim, which divide it 

 into several heart-like segments. 



The edging should resemble a bright gold lace, bold, clear, and 

 distinct, and so nearly of the same colour of the eye and stripes, as 

 scarcely to be distinguished : in short, the polyanthus should pos- 

 sess a graceful elegance of form, a richness of colouring, and sym- 

 metry of parts, not to be found united in any other flower. 



Fine double primroses, are cultivated by offsets, in the same way 

 and at the same time as polyanthuses, and require similar care and 

 management in pots ; they are somewhat more tender^ and conse* 

 quently must be treated accordingly. 



Carnations, 



If you have omitted the potting or transplanting of carnations 

 last month, where necessary, let it be donje in this, us early as pos* 

 sible, agreeable to the rules laid down in page 287, 



