DECEMBER. 



177 



FANCY PANSIES. 



WITH AN It J, TJ ST HAT ION. 



No section of florists' flowers has had a more chequered career than the 

 Fancy Pansy. We quite recollect two or three varieties being brought into 

 notice some twelve or fourteen years since, when the acknowledged florists' 

 varieties were so popular • but, being- regarded as unwelcome intruders, they 

 were speedily discarded. 



We believe Mr. Downie, of Edinburgh, was one of the first raisers, and 

 about twelve years since introduced Dandie Dinmot and one or two others. 

 Mr. Salter also took them in hand ; but, the kinds being generally small and 

 unattractive, the flower did not make headway in popular opinion. The French 

 florists, especially M. Miellez, of Lille, afterwards followed in the same track, 

 and succeeded in producing Miracle, Belle Esquermoise, Princesse Mathilde, 

 and other kinds, which were first introduced into England by Messrs. E. G. 

 Henderson & Son, and were placed in the hands of Mr. William Dean, of 

 Shipley, in Yorkshire, for cultivation, the colder climate of the north during 

 the summer being more suitable for the Pansy than that of London. In the 

 hands of Mr. Dean the flower soon made rapid progress ; and Princess AjsiGE 

 {fi9- !')» Etoile du Nord, and other advanced kinds were introduced by him in 

 the autumn of 1861. These have been followed by Mrs. Moore {Jig. 2), one 

 of the most perfect and beautiful kinds yet raised ; Leotard { fig. 3), a very 

 attractive sort ; and several other kinds just introduced for the first time. For 

 the samples of these which we have figured we have to thank our friend 

 Mr. Dean, by whom they were raised. 



The Fancy Pansy will, unquestionably, reach a high position in popular 

 estimation, and most deservedly so ; for whilst the florists' Pansy is restricted 

 to three classes — selfs, white ground, and yellow ground, the Fancy Pansy is 

 capable of unlimited extension in point of variety, and the colours are, in most 

 of them, extremely rich and beautiful, whilst in form many of them are now 

 equal or nearly so to the florists' kinds. 



As border flowers, these comparatively new-fashioned Pansies are most 

 valuable, as they grow more freely than a great number of the florists' kinds, 

 and occupy more space. They revel in soil composed of turfy sod and leaf 

 mould, and if the situation admits of shelter from the midday sun so much the 

 better ; but they, or, in facts any Pansies, should not be under trees. The 

 best method of propagating them is to pull off young rooted pieces in November, 

 and plant them out in favourable situations ; or, should the situation be wet 

 and cold, they stand a better chance if kept in a cold frame, where they can 

 have plenty of air, and be kept tolerably dry in winter. They can also be 

 raised from seed, and a packet saved from good sorts will give a great variety. 

 We, however, caution amateurs against purchasing foreign seed. We know 

 of some not long since obtained from Erfurt, in the hope of its yielding some- 

 thing novel ; but the whole produce was very much inferior" to the Fancy 

 Pansies now grown in England. 



The Double Purpxe Pansy {fig. 4), is not new, and was known many 

 years ago ; but, like many other hardy plants of great beauty, it has been 

 neglected because it did not happen to bask in the sunshine of popularity. It 

 is, however, a charming border plant, and should be in every garden. Our 

 sample for figuring was obtained from Messrs. OV.rter & Co., who, we understand, 

 have been successful in becoming possessed of this long-lost and ornamental 

 variety, which is likely now to be appreciated for its own" merits, regardless of 

 the stringent rules of the florists. - 



The following are the best Fancy Pansies yet sent out. An excellent 



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