ADVANTAGES OF REMOVING DECAYING FLOWERS. 
Ill 
There are many plants whose habits are what are called sub-shrubbby, which 
fall most appropriately within the range of common observation, and under the 
influence of the treatment we propound. Pentstemons will serve as the type of 
that division which does not bloom again directly ; and it may be remarked of them, 
as of some biennials, that the flower-stems ought to be taken off ere the upper 
blossoms open, because, by that time, the lowermost seed-pods are attaining their 
full size, and draw too much nourishment from the plant, as well for its health, as 
for the due expansion of the later flowers. Border Pelargoniums, and some sorts of 
Alyssum, Draba, &c, are amongst those which speedily flower a second time, or 
remain blooming for a considerable period ; and their display is greatly heightened, 
and rendered more durable, by attention to the subject of our paper. 
Finally, there is a vast variety of shrubs whose flowering propensities are 
elicited or multiplied, if they are only prevented from forming seed. They who 
say of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heaths, or any greenhouse or stove exotic, that 
its seeds and seed-vessels are so small, their production cannot injure it, speak without 
the requisite reflection. Let a seed be as minute as it may, it is that which Nature 
has fitted it for bearing, and in the producing of which it has to exert itself quite 
as much, compared with its powers, as another plant that yields a large and pulpy 
fruit. In this sense, then, all fruit or seed-bearing is alike exhausting, without any 
regard to the size of the object borne. 
We hope we have already placed in a clear point of view the high advantages 
of which all cultivated plants are susceptible from having their dying flowers 
removed. The system admits of a further argument in its favour from the neatness 
and tidiness it entails. Nothing is a better test of a well-kept garden than the 
way in which the falling-flowers are disposed of. If they are left to wither away 
of themselves, while their stems become laden with seed-pods, it is a mark of 
slovenliness and inattention, which merits severe reprobation, whether it occur in 
the plant-houses or the open borders ; and no place will ever have a finished or 
elegant aspect under such management. If, however, they are plucked directly 
their beauty has fled, and the old stems, with their supports, carefully removed, we 
should infer that a tasteful as well as industrious person had the direction of 
affairs, and an air of peculiar good keeping and polish would be the constant result. 
Should it be objected to the general adoption of such a plan, that it occasions 
extra trouble, we must revert to what should be the standing objects of every 
cultivator ; and we believe all would acknowledge themselves actuated by a desire 
to induce a high state of health in their charge, and simultaneously to render them 
at all times as beautiful as possible. Satisfactorily to attain such ends, a little 
labour must undoubtedly be sacrificed ; and if it could be distinctly perceived how 
trifling an amount would be consumed in the process herein suggested, comparing 
the results of its neglect with the issues of its judicious adoption, we should have 
no fear either that our hints would be slighted, or that we shall be accused of having 
given too much space to the consideration of the topic. 
