CUT FLOWERS. 143 



be in good condition for pansies. If exhibition blooms be re- 

 quired in early summer, a plantation must be made in autumn, 

 and protected in winter from severe frosts and continued rains 

 by placing a frame over it, the sashes of which can be moved 

 at will. Three or four shoots will be sufficient for each plant, 

 and they should be carefully staked to prevent them being 

 broken. If flower-buds appear, they must be removed ; three 

 weeks being the time necessary for the full expansion of the 

 flower after the bud is seen. Slight shading is necessary for 

 a few days before the flowers are gathered, shading the blooms 

 only, which may be done by fastening a piece of cardboard to 

 a short stake and placing the shade over the bloom. The 

 plants should be kept well watered in dry weather, both at 

 the roots and over the tops, while an occasional sprinkling of 

 soot between the plants before watering will be beneficial. 

 Weak liquid manure made from cowdung given once a week 

 will greatly assist the perfect development of the blooms. An 

 occasional syringing, when the plants are growing, with soap- 

 suds will prevent greenfly attacking them ; but it must be 

 discontinued when the blooms have been chosen. A light 

 mulching with short grass prevents evaporation, and keeps 

 rain from splashing the flowers. The flowers should be care- 

 fully handled when staging them j the outer edges of the petals 

 should be slightly reflexed, and touching the stand, which 

 should be painted green, and no paper of any colour used 

 beneath the flowers. The points of merit in a Show Pansy 

 are: (1.) Size; (2.) form; and (3.) substance. According to 

 the predominating colour they are divided into three classes, 

 viz., selfs, white, and yellow grounds. The first comprises 

 dark, light, and yellow selfs. These should be rich and pure 

 in colour, with perfect centre. In the white and yellow classes 

 the ground colour should be bright, clean, and distinct, the eye 

 uniform and well defined. The Fancy Pansy may be said to 

 comprise all others which have not the distinctive character- 

 istics of the Show Pansy. They should be large, circular, 

 petals full, and overlapping. 



