22 THE FLORIST, AND 



apart in a good loam, encircled with rotted stable manure. Leave 

 off the sashes till towards the middle of November, and when frosty 

 nights occur put them on, giving plenty of air through the day. — 

 As severe weather comes on, line round the outside with eight or 

 ten inches of mould, littery dung, or a thatching of clean straw. — 

 In fine days continue to give plenty of air, but avoid cutting winds, 

 and cover at nights with straw mats, or other material, to keep out 

 the frost. When the soil becomes dry, give a good soaking of water, 

 choosing a fair morning for the operation, but through the winter it 

 is better to be too dry than over moist, and if any warm showers 

 should occur take advantage of them by drawing down the sashes. 

 If the above is attended to, there will be a good blow of flowers 

 through the winter, and in March and April the plants will be 

 covered. It is advised to plant four inches apart, which will be 

 enough till the first flowers show, when all of bad quality may be 

 removed, and leave the better ones sufficiently apart for future 

 growth. 



The above is intended for winter and early spring blooming, and 

 entails a little extra exertion ; but the Pansy is very hardy, and will 

 stand the winters with no more protection than a covering of cedar 

 or other like branches, to keep off alternate thaw and freezing, 

 caused by the bright sun immediately following frost. In this case 

 the bed should be well enriched with a dressing of good rotted ma- 

 nure, and planted as recommended above, and if a shaded spot is cho- 

 sen the plants will continue to bloom most of the summer, and on to 

 the winter following. 



When a good variety is obtained, it is desirable to retain it, which 

 may be done by planting out in a well enriched, damp and shady 

 place before the heat of summer comes on, and the tops or flowering 

 shoots cut off at the same time; here let it remain till fall, when it 

 can be taken up, and will admit of being divided into single shoots, 

 each having roots at the base, which in their turn make equally 

 large plants ; slips also, or side shoots taken off early in the spring or 

 in the fall, and planted in a shaded place, will strike root. In the 

 heat of summer cuttings generally damp off, whatever care is taken 

 of them. 



By the above practice I have succeeded well with this little gem, 

 and have several seedlings equal in quality to the European show 



