164 



PRACTICE OF GARDEKI^fG. 



medium in which to pack them for the winter. In -the 

 spring they may be taken out for propagation, and other- 

 wise treated as before directed, always takire c?.re to keep 

 them perfectly diy during the winter, and a" - : : ; : - = r _ "e 

 them effectually from frost, and keep the .= :r:^ f.:-::!.::. 



Heartseases or pansies ai'e no less interesting to the 

 cottager than dahlias, and are equally within his means, 

 while they occupy less room. They are nearly all of 

 Tery easy culture ; but to have them fine, they require 

 much attention. An increase is effected by see ;>, : .:- 

 tings, or layers; by the former method, ne v - _ r ir^ 

 may be obtained, and by the two latter, old s:r:^ are 

 perpetuated. Many writers on the subject have entered 

 into very lengthened details with regard to the cultiva- 

 tion of these plants, but of course only a very brief out- 

 line can be given here. Where new varieties are desired, 

 the seed should be collected from the first-ripened pods 

 of the best sorts, and sown thinly as soon as it is ripe, in 

 a shaded situation and a light loamy soil. As soon as 

 they have formed a few leaves, they should be trans- 

 planted into a similar border or bed, at about four inches 

 apart, when they may be afterwards treated as the old 

 plants. To propagate the old varieties, some considera- 

 tion is necessary as to whether they are strictly perennial, 

 or only partially so, for those sorts which are purely 

 perennial may be propagated with facility by cuttings, 

 vvhile those which are not so, require to be multiplied 

 by layers. Either of these methods may be practised at 

 any time, but if done in the spiing months, or early in 

 the autumn, the greatest success will be ensured. There 

 is a method, however, of dividing the roots, which is 

 much more certain than either of those just alluded to. 

 The plants are taken from the soil in dull weather, rjid 

 divided into as many portions as the roots vr:.^ 1' 

 taking care to have a few root-fibres to each i" -::^: : 

 they are then planted separately in a shady bor 'rr. : _i 

 well watered till they have become settled in :1- Lrrr 

 soil. This system is recommended when the plants grow 

 too straggling, and, with those sorts which are capable of 

 being thus treated, is doubtless the most efficacious mode 

 of propagation. Those sorts which require layering, may 



