142 CUT FLOWERS. 



had, a few fern fronds or asparagus sprays may be used 

 instead. All leaves on the foot-stalks should be preserved, 

 as they improve the effect, and although wires are used for 

 setting up the flowers, the stems should be suificiently long 

 to reach the water, to keep the flowers fresh. The points of 

 merit are: (1.) Arrangement and size of spikes and flowers; 

 (2.) quality of the blooms; and (3.) colour, which should be 

 rich, pure, and the marking well defined. 



PANSY. 



This is a special favourite with the amateur florist, around 

 which his keenest interest centres, and its culture for exhibi- 

 tion is practically in his hands. Although lacking the showy 

 appearance of some others, such as the Gladiolus and Dahha, 

 still it has many quahties peculiar to itself, which attract 

 attention and enlist many horticulturists in its cultivation. 

 The following are among the finest Fancy and Show Pansies 

 for exhibition : — 



Fancy Pansies, — A. M. Cocker, Bailie Donald, Beauty, David Hen- 

 derson, John Pope, Lady Wolseley, Lord Rosebery, Maggie Bella, 

 Miss Bliss, Mrs. John Downie, Neil M'Kay, and William Hayes. 



Show Pansies. — Alexander Black, Countess of Rosebery, Devonia, 

 John Elder, Lord Frederick Cavendish, Mauve Queen, Miss 

 Philip, Mis.s Jessie Foot, Mrs. Gladstone, Mrs. Henderson, Sultan, 

 and The Favourite. 



The Pansy is propagated by cuttings in early autumn, 

 selecting the shoots springing from the base of the plants, 

 and inserting them in boxes containing loam, leaf-mould, and 

 sand in equal proportions, placed in a cold frame and shaded 

 till roots have been made. The young plants should remain in 

 the frame till the following spring, when they may be planted 

 out in March, if early flowers are wanted, otherwise in April, 

 so that they may be established before the hot weather sets in. 

 Pansies succeed best in new soil, which makes them less liable 

 to die off during the hot months of June and July. Any 

 good garden soil suits them, but a strong moist loam is the 

 best. It should be well trenched and manured the year pre- 

 vious to planting, and cropped with potatoes, after which it will 



