158 
PANSIES AS FLOWER-GARDEN PLANTS, 
Bulbs, annuals, and the usual early flowering herbaceous species, are but poor 
subjects for making up the palpable deficiency, because they can seldom be 
rendered sufficiently vigorous and dense, on account of the necessity for transplant- 
ing them. The frequent removals and the large amount of extra trouble in prepa- 
ration which such objects require, are also drawbacks to their free employment. 
From the constancy of one or two colours in some of the varieties of Pansy, 
from their lowness of growth, tendency to spread, capacity for blooming early and 
long, and their extreme showiness, Mr. Edwards, gardener to his grace the Duke 
of Devonshire, at Chiswick, has selected a few sorts for furnishing the flower-beds, 
and as we have repeatedly been pleased with their appearance, we think it will be 
worth while to make the plan public, and explain how and on what particular 
sorts it is rendered most successful. 
In doing this, we shall give the details on which Mr. Edwards has kindly 
supplied us with information, premising that the leading feature of the system is 
tlie abandonment of that promiscuous arrangement of sorts which, however beauti- 
ful it may be in itself — and, to our taste, it has greatly the superiority — is not 
suited for that particular style of grouping which demands that only one or two 
conspicuous colours be seen in each bed. 
In propagating the plants for this object, cuttings are simply put in under a 
north wall, in a border of light, loamy earth, and the young plants are left in that 
position till they are required for bedding out in the spring. It is necessary that 
the situation have a northern aspect, on account of the shade Pansies require during 
the hotter months of the year. But it is likewise essential that the place be in all 
respects an open one, and not overshadowed by trees, the drip from which would 
be most injurious in winter. A corner into which the air would not freely enter, 
or which is shut in on all sides by trees, would also be undesirable, in consequence 
of the undue dampness which would be collected in it throughout the winter 
months. For, although Pansies love a moist place while summer heats prevail, 
they are very liable to be destroyed by extra moisture, when the sunless days of 
winter abound. 
During propagation, the plants should stand at least a foot from each other 
every way, that the air may play around them, to keep them hardy and compact. 
And while they remain in the border where they are reared, care should be taken 
to nip off the points of the young shoots occasionally, that they may be made 
sufficiently branchy ; and to stir up the ground betw^een the plants, in order to 
retain them in a good, healthy, growing condition. 
As soon as the time arrives for removing them, they must be taken up most - 
carefully, with a scoop-shaped trowel, or small spade, preserving all the soil about 
their roots which can possibly be induced to adhere to them. 
Either the autumn or the spring may be chosen for this transplantation. 
The latter period seems preferable, since autumn-planted species are rather liable 
to be disturbed or injured by frosts ; while those removed in spring establish 
