4*8 Improvement of Flo*wcr Gardens. 



nail, and, with a sharp penknife cut it through at right angles, 

 as near a joint as possible, and where there is not the least 

 appearance of ripened wood, but at the same time feels firm 

 under the edge of the knife. The nearer the mould the end 

 of the cutting, when planted, the better, that, as soon as roots 

 are emitted they may find their natural food, and are of course 

 sooner fit for potting out. 



A bell-glass, 6 in. in diameter, will cover fifty of these little 

 cuttings, when neatly planted in rows across the pot, in which 

 way, a number of kinds may be put in, marked with their 

 names, if required. After planting give a gentle watering to 

 consolidate the sand, and, after standing a few minutes to dry, 

 place the glass over them : press it into the sand, so as to ex- 

 clude the air, and never remove it until the cuttings are struck, 

 save for the purpose of giving water, which must be duly at- 

 tended to, otherwise the cuttings will become hard, and the 

 emission of roots much protracted, or altogether destroyed. 

 The pots may be placed on a shelf in a warm part of the 

 green-house, or the coldest part of a plant stove, at a dis- 

 tance from the flue. Cover the glasses when the sun is upon 

 them, but by no means set them in a shady situation. Bot- 

 tom heat is not necessary. 



I have been the more minute, as I am convinced, from 

 ocular observation as well as report, that there are a gi'eat 

 many gardeners still unacquainted with the propagation of 

 that beautiful family of plants. Hence, our green-houses are 

 deprived of one of their greatest and most lasting ornaments. 

 Hence, too, the admirer is induced to sacrifice the enjoyment, 

 from the frequent calls upon the purse, necessary to keep in 

 view the object of admiration. 



I am, Sir, &c. 

 January 7. 1829. C. L. B. 



Art. XV. Observations on the Improvement of Floiver-Gardens. 

 By Mr. George M'Leish. 



Sir, 



A FLOWER-GARDEN is a spot which, when tastefully dis- 

 posed, is calculated to afford some of the purest and most 

 rational of our pleasures. To the sons and daughters of ele- 

 gance and refinement, to the scholar, the botanist, and the 

 peasant, it is equally a source of amusement and pleasure. 



The erection of artificial rocks, as an accompaniment of the 

 flower-garden, is a practice as common as it is in many in- 



