40 EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 



vigorous. This is often done by cuttings as well as seedlings. They 

 can he grown more rapidly, and are certain to produce fine flowers. 



The cuttings should be taken from the points of the shoots, and cut 

 about three inches long, and immediately below a joint. Strip oif the 

 lower leaves, and plant them in sand, pressing the soil closely around 

 the stem. If planted on the north side of a fence or hedge in a sheltered 

 location, with an inch of sand covering the cuttings, they will strike 

 rapidly. If in pots, they should be covered with glass. In about six 

 weeks they will be well rooted, and fit to transplant into the flowering 

 beds, or into pots for window gardening. 



Pansies are often layered, by pegging down the young shoots with a 

 hair pin, and covering all but an inch or two of the point with fine 

 sand. 



An incision can be made at the joint, as is done in layering roses, 

 but frequently they will make root equally as well without using the 

 knife. 



When rooted, which can be told by the growth of new leaves separate 

 from the old plant, and either plant out in borders or in pots. 



They can also be increased by dividing the old roots, and the divisions 

 will soon make fine plants. 



Seed can be sown early in the season, in a hot-bed following directions 

 given for planting seed, in Chapter II, and when the fourth or fifth leaves 

 are formed, the plants can be put into the borders, and planted a foot 

 apart each way to allow them room to grow. 



Pansies are very gross feeders, delighting in the richest soil, with 

 plenty of liquid manure. If large blossoms are desired, the soil must 

 be of the richest description. 



The best compost for them is one-third leaf mould, one-third thoroughly 

 decayed barn-yard manure, and one-third light loam. In this soil they 

 will blossom most gorgeously. The location should be on the north- 

 west side of the house, and shaded from the noonday sun. They will 

 not grow to advantage in either light, sandy soil, or much sunlight, but 

 require moisture and shade, and copious waterings to produce perfect 

 flowers. They are also great deteriorators of the soil, and will soon run 

 out unless it is renewed. New beds do much better than old ones. 

 After they have blossomed freely until July, cut down the branches several 

 inches, mulch with well-rotted cow manure, and by September they will 

 be in a blaze of glory. 



