70 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



the surface. Of course, if some good loam could be obtained, 

 mixed with decayed manure and leaf-mould, a layer of this, 3in. 

 or 4in. deep, over the surface, would be very desirable ; but it 

 cannot always be had, and most people have to put up with the 

 ordinary soil of the garden. If the soil is heavy, some river-sand 

 should be added to the surface and lightly forked in. I plant 

 seedlings ift. apart, for in good soil they make rapid growth, 

 producing flowers in great abundance. 



Named varieties must be propagated by cuttings only. Some 

 persons have an idea that by saving seed from a named variety 



1 I 

 I 



Fig. 37.— Fancy Pansy. Fig. 38.— Rayed Viola. 



of a Pansy or a Carnation, that the variety from which the seed 

 has been saved will be reproduced. This is an error. It is 

 very likely that some of them will resemble the parent ; but, 

 the largest proportion of them will not. It is advisable to 

 cross-fertilise the best varieties ; as, unless this is done, the 

 results will not be so satisfactory. Cuttings strike very freely 

 in a shady place, and they are better without glass in the 

 form of hand-lights or frames. I find a place on the north side 

 of a wall or fence, and insert the cuttings, some time in July 

 or August, or even as late as September. The best cuttings are 

 those taken from the centre of the plants. They are small. 



