THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
79 
PANSIES IN POTS. 
[HOSE who have never tried to cultivate the Pansy in this 
way have little idea what a profusion of really gav flowers 
is produced by this plant during the whole of the early 
months ; and with proper attention they will blossom 
in good character till the latter part of May. As 
regards cultivation, little need be said, for the Pansy is not difficult 
to manage. Plants for early flowering should be potted up from the 
open ground in October. If the weather is open in the last week in 
January or the first week in February, begin to re-pot generally, 
using soil consisting of good decomposed turfy loam, rotten manure, 
a little leaf-mould, and coarse sand, the latter in proportion to the 
nature of the loam. The soil should not be pressed hard with the 
hand ; no water should be given for a day or two after potting. 
Before, as well as after, this operation, the plants must be kept well 
up to the glass. They should have from two to six shoots, or strong 
leaders ; and to keep them to these chosen shoots, a number of 
small ones must from time to time be removed. These cuttings 
answer the double purpose of strengthening the main shoots, and 
producing a stock of young plants, which will supply the place of 
the old ones when worn out. Keep the frames in which they are 
placed open whenever the weather is favourable, pulling the lights 
back, or tilting them up. Maintain the plants in a growing state 
by watering them as often as they require it, going over them for 
this purpose every day. Plants that have several shoots should be 
tied into shape, placing the centre branch upright in the middle, and 
the remainder at equal distances all round, but the plant must be 
shaped according to the number of shoots ; three leading branches 
are sufficient if cut blooms only are required. Another advantage 
is, that the same plants, from the succession of bloom they produce, 
will answer the double purpose of exhibiting in pots or stands of cut 
flowers. 
After potting, as above recommended, has taken place, take the 
earliest opportunity at which the ground is in a fit state, to plant 
out any stock not required to bloom under glass, or plants that have 
been wintered in stores, etc., which will bloom through May or 
June, and produce a stock of good healthy cuttings. By following 
the simple and inexpensive treatment just recommended, I am sure 
that those who take the little trouble that it entails will not fail to 
be gratified by a fine display of bloom, which, from its long con- 
tinuance, will most certainly afford much gratification. 
March. 
