160 
PROPAGATION OF FLOWER-GARDEN PLANTS. 
employed, and these are favoured with all the aids of judicious cultivation. Th 
plea urged against them, that they evince a common or a weedy appearance, wi] 
then be superseded through the improved aspect communicated by disposal am! 
management ; indeed, it is a generally recognised fact in the popular system c 
decorating the pleasure-grounds, that masses of many of the commonest flower 
create the most showy effect. We allude now of course only to the extensive gardei 
scene, and not to the limited flower-garden where an assemblage of all that is ga- 
and beautiful, and individually interesting, is expected. 
The chief arguments in favour of a separate department for native species, ar 
the unique appearance with which they invest such a spot, and the greater facility 
it affords for adopting any peculiarity of treatment. And let it be remembered, tha 
in all cases groups or beds of the same plant prove more showy than a heterogeneous 
mixture of various kinds and colours : the latter have always a meagre and spottec 
appearance. And surely a garden with groups of every bright colour on the lawn 
the rockery, and the lake, with all the usual adornments conferred by bushy shrubs 
and climbing species consisting entirely of the choice production of our fields anc 
groves, cannot fail to elicit a share of pleasure and approbation proportioned t( 
the care expended on it, even though the cherished beauties he the natural offspring 
of our own mother-land. 
PROPAGATION OF FLOWER-GARDEN PLANTS. 
The increase of the class of plants in question is so easily effected by cuttings, 
and almost at any time, that there are few who, from having some experience in 
raising such things, and finding it so easily accomplished, could be found to admit 
there is anything to learn upon the subject. Without staying to combat such aj 
notion as this, we will proceed with our paper, which has for the foundation of its 
subject the fact, that, notwithstanding the facility with which any plants are propa- 
gated, there is an essential difference between doing so in a proper manner, and at 
a proper time, and the reverse practice. 
The kind of plants we have under consideration, are all the half-hardy and 
tender things which now occupy our flow T er-gardens in summer, and their increase as 
it is effected by cuttings. Some, instead of taking cuttings of many of those plants 
which, as they grow along the surface of the soil, strike roots into it from the joints 
and under-sides of their stems, take part of these stems, with their roots attached, 
and pot them ; but as such never form good plants, and as, indeed, it is only prac- 
tised where necessity compels a resort to it, no further remark in reference to doing 
so is called for here. The time for choosing cuttings, which, in the case of plants 
of ascertained value, and of which there is required annually a certain supply, and 
that should, instead of the period when they are taken being a matter of accident, and 
