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FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



always produce seed, and it is scarcely worth while looking 

 after it, because they can be more advantageously raised 

 from cuttings. These should be taken when the growth of 

 the young shoots is nearly completed, and just before they 

 begin to harden. Dibble them into a bed of sandy earth, 

 give them a sprinkle of water, put a bell-glass or hand- 

 light over, and — -forget them. In about two months you 

 may remove the bell-glass, for they will be all rooted. It 

 will be well to leave them undisturbed until the month of 

 April following, when they may be planted out to grow 

 into specimens. Border-plants that are somewhat strag- 

 gling in form may be improved by judicious pruning, and 

 by pegging a few shoots into places that are vacant. We 

 have had the rock candytuft on a highly-dressed border, 

 and we kept all the plants in shape by annual clipping, the 

 result being that they were as round and convex as watch- 

 glasses. We do not advise any general adoption of this 

 procedure, but where everything should be formal and 

 precise it is at least admissible. 



