152 On the Propagation of the Balsam. 



removed that leaf, and planted the cutting an inch deep in a very 

 light sandy compost, similar to bog-earth ; plunged the pot (a 60) 

 in the leaf bed, and covered the cutting with a glass. The earth 

 was slightly watered, and subsequently kept in a moist state. This 

 was done on the 28th of August; by the 12th of September the 

 cutting had formed roots, and was growing ; the glass was removed 

 and flower buds soon after became apparent. 



This day, the plant has been removed to my study, it is beside 

 me, and has on it, two expanded semi-double flowers ; the ground 

 colour a French white, beautifully striped and blotched with a full 

 rich pink. Several other flower-buds are formed, and will doubt- 

 less expand. 



The plant is slender, eleven inches high, and is rather drawn up, 

 owing to the want of sun-light and a free exposure to the air. Four 

 or five other cuttings of a Balsam were taken off in the middle of 

 September ; they appear to have struck, and each has protruded 

 blossoms : they are now growing freely. 



1 confess that my object in taking these cuttings was not to pro- 

 duce blossoms, but simply to preserve if possible, the plants through- 

 out the winter. I hoped they might strike root ; and thus, in a 

 degree, counteract the annual nature of the plant ; or, in other 

 words, cause it to survive, by converting one of its members into 

 a perfect vegetable body. The early blossoming of the first cutting, 

 will I fear frustrate my intention ; but as I found it inclined to 

 flower, I resolved to let the blossoms expand, as the parent has, to 

 this day, evinced no sign of producing bloom. 



I have just pinched off all the flower-buds from the second set 

 of cuttings, with a view to preserve the plants according to my 

 original intention. 



Pinkne-ifs Green, 

 Oct. 12, 1831. 



