132 



PRACTICE OF GAEDENING. 



greater facility iu tliis manner. The starworts, golden- 

 rod, perennial lupins, and Yarioiis others, will bear to be 

 submitted to this operation ; and, independently of this 

 being a ready and certain method of propagation, it is 

 absolutely necessary, to prevent the plants from spreading 

 too rapidly, and occupying too large a space of ground. 

 T\'here practicable, this is decidedly the best method of 

 increasing plants of this description, as it occasions no 

 extra trouble, and the plants, thus separated, produce 

 their flowers the first season, which is seldom the case 

 ^^i.th seedlings. Where hand-glasses are possessed, and a 

 little artificial heat is at command, many of these plants 

 may be readily increased by cuttings, such as Chinese 

 chrysanthemums and double rockets ; and by this me- 

 thod, the flowers will be rendered finer, or at least will 

 be preserved from degenerating, which they frequently 

 do when propagated by division of the roots. Chinese 

 chrysanthemums may likewise be multiplied by layers, 

 and sweet violets must be increased from offsets. 



In practising any of these methods, all the attention 

 that is necessary is to allow the plants a sufficient quan- 

 tity of water after transplanting, till they become pro- 

 perly established in the soil: and, in the case of cuttings, 

 they must be duly shaded from the heat of the sun. 



AVith regard to soil and situation, it may be observed 

 that most perennials thrive best in a light and rather rich 

 loamy soil ; but it shotild not be too rich, otherwise they 

 will grow too strong, and produce but few flowers; neither 

 should it by any means be too poor or gravelly, or no 

 part of the plant will grow to perfection. Perennials 

 v\ull grow well under the shade of shrubs or trees, but will 

 certainly flower much finer and better if planted in an open 

 exposed situation, and in such a one they should always be 

 placed, if practicable; though this is not essential to their 

 existence, but only to their flowering in a superior manner. 



In transplanting perennials, which maybe done at almost 

 any season, care should be taken to retain as much earth 

 as possible about the roots, and when it is found necessary 

 to remove them in the summer season, this should al\^'ays 

 be done in the evening of the day, and, if possible, in 

 cloudy or showery weather : where this latter does not 



