312 Notes and Gleanhigs. 



manure mixed up with the soil. I tie up each plant loosely from time to time 

 as it advances in growth, to save its blowing about ; but I put no earth to it 

 until I have got the height of growth required. Many people like the bit-by bit 

 system of earthing celery : but never was a greater mistake committed, especially 

 during the summer months ; for it must have water during that time, if you ex- 

 pect it to grow ; and how can it get it if the trench is filled with soil .'' I grow 

 on as fast as possible ; and, just six weeks before the show, I put up the whole 

 bulk of earth at once, which bleaches it very nicely by the time I want it. Such 

 is my system of growing prize celery, which has never failed since I learnt what 

 constitutes an article fit for table." 



Annuals with White Flowers for Clumping. — One of the very best 

 is the white variety of the common candytuft, or Iberis tinibellata : while it 

 lasts, there is no white flower in the garden to equal it. The white Virginian 

 stock, or Malco7nia inaritima, may be sown on any day throughout the year, 

 except when the ground is frozen: therefore the "rough-and-ready " gardener 

 should have always at hand a pinch of seed to fill up any gap that occurs when 

 nothing better can be found for it. The pure white variety is the only one I 

 shall recommend ; but all the sorts are useful. The white Lobel's catchfly is 

 good. Clarkia pulchella alba will do for clumps ; but it is rather weak and 

 washy. Collinsia bicolor is a well-known annual : the white variety of it well 

 deserves a place in this selection. Silene pe7idiila alba is extremely neat and 

 pretty, growing only six inches high. Campamda speculum^ or Venus's look- 

 ing-glass : the white variety of this is as pretty as the blue. — Floral World. 



Rapid Culture of Cyclamen persicum. — To raise a stock of full-sized 

 bulbs in six months is very easy for those who have convenience to do it. Pre- 

 pare a number of shallow boxes, three inches deep, with a few drainage-holes 

 if the boxes are new ; no drainage-holes if old and slightly-cracked boxes are 

 used. Seed-pans will do; but they are heavy t? lift about, and, being round, 

 take up more room than boxes. A convenient size for the boxes is sixteen 

 inches square. They can be packed close together, and an immense number 

 of 'plants can be accommodated in a small space. Over the drainage-holes 

 place hollow crocks : lay down half an inch of peat lumps, tough and fibry. Fill 

 up to the brim with a mixture of sand, leaf-mould, and fibry peat, or very turfy 

 yellow loam, equal parts. In January, sow the seeds singly, three inches apart 

 every way. Place the boxes on a tank or bark bed, in a moist temperature of 

 sixty degrees. As soon as the seedlings show, look over the boxes, and, wher- 

 ever a seed has missed, insert another. Keep them growing steadily till March ; 

 then increase the heat to seventy degrees, with plenty of atmospheric moisture 

 and regular waterings. By the end of May they will have formed large, sound, 

 thrifty bulbs. Remove them from the bed, and place them under the stages of 

 the house, or, if there is room to spare, on a table in the greenhouse ; whence, 

 after a fortnight, they may be removed to a frame or pit. Dry them off gradu- 

 ally, and ripen ; and, in six months from the date of sowing, they will be fine 

 bulbs to flower at the next potting. — Floral World. 



