110 STUDIES IN GARDENING 



few plants of Tufted Pansies by simply taking off 

 little rooted pieces and planting them in a cool place 

 in light soil, keeping them well watered mitil they are 

 established. If this is done as early as possible, and 

 when the ground is thoroughly wet with rain, the 

 offsets will soon make good roots and be strong plants 

 ready to plant out in the autumn. This method may 

 be employed with most plants that increase by means 

 of rooted tufts or offsets, and it is often better than 

 division, since it leaves the parent plant undisturbed. 

 The main point for a gardener who cannot give much 

 time to watering is to choose his opportunity when the 

 ground is thoroughly soaked, and to plant his offsets 

 where they are not liable to be shrivelled up by too 

 hot a sun. The time for taking such offsets must 

 vary, of course, with the habit of growth and the 

 flowering season of different plants. Thus, if Tufted 

 Pansies are cut back after their first flush of bloom they 

 will throw up a number of fresh shoots which can be 

 readily detached. Michaelmas Daisies, on the other 

 hand, since they flower in autumn, and since most of 

 them throw out rooted tufts of the greatest vigour in 

 all directions, can be simply pulled to pieces and re- 

 planted in spring. If this is done every tuft will be 

 a strong flowering plant by the autumn. In every 

 case the gardener should observe the habits of the 

 plant he wishes to increase, and should treat it ac- 

 cording to these habits. 



Bulbs, as we have said, usually take a long time 

 to flower from seed, often about six years, but many 



