22i THE MANSE GARDEN. 



spring, and it will be of use before winter to earth 

 them up, sloping and beating the mould about them 

 so as to throw off the rain. 



Although the propagation of this plant by pipings 

 (as the grass shoots taken off and stuck in ground are 

 called) is by no means so sure as the above method, 

 yet of a number some will take root, and as pipings 

 are more easily procured than plants, the experiment 

 may be made. If carried to some distance, steep 

 the slips in water till they swell to their proper size ; 

 trim them as above directed, and set them firm into 

 old elastic compost ; water plentifully and set over 

 them a handglass, first throwing water on the glass 

 and then earth to darken it, and let it not be stirred 

 for some days, it being found that a deficiency both 

 of light and air promotes the striking, pf slips pro- 

 bably on this principle, that the sick^iaving no ap- 

 petite, must avoid the exertion which requires food 

 as well as that which food requires. 



Dahlia, This is really a vast acquisition to our 

 gardens ; and having come amongst us from the sun- 

 nier skies of South America, and suffered much to 

 accommodate itself to our climate, it seems to have 

 gained the affection which highland hearts bore to 

 Prince Charles. For a length of time it blossomed 

 only in October or November a most unlucky period 

 for the flowering of a plant whose very leaves cannot 

 endure a breath of frost. At first many arts were 

 tried to bring its fine flourish to an earlier perfec- 

 tion : it was set in pots, and forced for a time ; or it 

 was planted in gravel to lessen its luxuriance ; or 

 the stronger shoots were amputated. But by suc- 

 cessive sowings from seed raised in this country, it 



