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CULTURE OF THE GENUS POTENTILLA. 
All the species are very easily cultivated, and, with the exception of atrosan - 
guinea and Nepalensis, (fig.) are perfectly hardy. Many of them are very suitable 
for rock work; and also grow and flower very beautifully in pots, filled with a 
mixture of sandy loam and peat, and are very easily propagated by division of 
the roots and by seeds. 
The situation on the borders most suitable 
for them is where the soil is light and well 
drained, and where they will receive a good 
portion of sun. If the water stagnate, they 
will soon perish ; and if they receive little or 
no sun, none except those bearing yellow 
flowers will attain to their true colours. 
If grown in pots, good drainage is neces- 
sary ; the compost must be turfy loam and 
peat well chopped together, but not sifted ; 
for, if sifted, it is apt to become too solid 
and close, and thereby prevent the roots 
from striking so freely. 
The best time for potting is immediately 
after the flowering season, and early in the 
spring, at least two months before the 
flowering season commences. 
To propagate by the division of the roots, the best times are immediately after 
the plants have flowered, or in April following ; at either time with proper treat- 
ment they will make fine plants quickly. 
Sow the seed as soon as it can be cleared from the pulp of the fruit, in pans or 
the open ground ; and, as soon as the plants are large enough, transplant them into 
small pots, and treat them like old plants. 
The two tender species may be treated in the same way as half hardy plants ; 
that is, first sow in pans, and then transplant them into single pots, until it is time 
to turn them out into the open borders. 
