BEDDING PLANTS. 81 



of O. crydentelles, are all very suitable for this kind of work. Plants 

 which were in bloom during the Winter and Spring may be started for 

 this purpose after a few weeks rest. 



PANDANUS For bedding purposes the best plant in this genus is 

 P. Veitchii. It will thrive in almost any position, but it makes better 

 leaves in full sun than it does in shade. As young plants increase in 

 value up to a certain size, they should be put out in their pots, and once 

 or twice during Summer should be examined at the roots and larger 

 pots given if necessary. The roots are large and soft, and when they 

 grow over the sides of the plunged pot and into the surrounding soil 

 they are difficult to manage afterward. 



PANSIES (Viola) To have pansy plants ready to put out in the Fall 

 the seed should be sown about the middle of August, and even earlier, 

 where the weather will permit. In the very warm weather the princi- 

 pal danger is in the damping of the seedling plants shortly after they have 

 germinated. Sow thinly and cover lightly with screened moss, or old 

 manure, giving only enough water to keep the surface slightly moist. 

 In the warmer parts of the country it will require good judgment in 

 selecting a suitable place for the seed boxes during germination. One 

 can be secured by raising some shaded sash above them, in a place 

 where the ah is not apt to get stagnant. As soon as the seedlings are 

 large enough to handle, they should be pricked out in boxes of moder- 

 ately moist soil, and for some time only given gen tie sprinklings through 

 a fine rose to prevent wilting. They are put in their Winter quarters by 

 the beginning of October and given a mulching of rotted manure shortly 

 afterward. In this way they can be grown in the same beds with low 

 growing bulbous plants, such as Crocus, Galanthus or Scillas, these 

 bulbs going out of flower just as the Pansies are coming in, securing a 

 season of bloom from the time when the snow disappears until very 

 warm weather, or, in Northern latitudes, all Summer long. In some 

 parts the plants make sufficient progress before the advent of cool 

 weather, not only to bloom, but to send up numerous shoots from the 

 base of the plant. This is a good opportunity to select cuttings of the 

 finest forms to raise seed from. Take those cuttings having a small 

 piece of solid stem; put in sand, treating them as cool as possible. As 

 soon as rooted place in boxes of light soil and Winter in frames, plant- 

 ing out as soon as weather will permit. It should be borne in mind 

 that plants put out in the Fall always give the best results in Spring. 



Pansies to Flower in Frames If sown early enough and po'tted off 

 the seedlings will show the colors before planting and thus enable the 

 grower to select those which are best for selling. These should be 

 planted in a frame facing south so that they will catch all of the sun- 

 shine available during the Winter months. If pinched back frequently it 

 will induce the plants to make bushy growth before freezing weather; 

 then mulch with leaf soil or old manure, giving air whenever the 

 weather will allow. They will throw up an amazing quantity of bloom 

 early in the season, which will pay to cut with the foliage attached so 

 that good long stems can be secured. Pansy seed should be sown in 

 very shallow boxes. The plants delight in a low temperature and a 



