240 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
sand. Make the soil fine and level, press it down moderately 
firm with a flat board, and then by means of a narrow strip of 
wood mark off lines three inches apart. In these lines insert 
the cuttings two inches apart, press down the soil firmly 
around them, water thoroughly, and keep close and shaded 
for a few days. Afterwards gradually admit air, and on fine 
days expose fully to the air, replacing the sashes on wet days 
and at night only. In frosty weather keep the frames closed, 
except when the sun shines, and throw a garden mat over the 
glass at night. Early in March expose fully to the air night 
and day, and then plant out in the garden. The cuttings 
should be taken from the young shoots that issue from the 
root-stock of the plant, and not from the coarse flowering 
shoots. Some of them will have roots attached ; others not. 
(See page 243.) The latter should be about 2in. long, have 
their base cut off close to a joint, and the lower pair of leaves 
removed. As the cuttings are made throw them into a pail of 
water, and finally rinse them in clean water before inserting 
them in the frame. Some sorts are shy in producing cuttings. 
To encourage the growth of young shoots cut off the flowering 
ones early in August. Tufted Pansies are readily raised from 
seed. Excellent strains are sold by specialists, and from these 
an infinite variety of colours may be obtained for massing in 
beds and borders. Seed may also be saved from choice named 
kinds, gathered when the pods turn brown, placing the latter 
in muslin bags, and suspending these in an airy shed till 
quite dry. The pods should be rubbed in the hands, the seed 
collected and stored in packets till wanted. To have flowers 
the same year sow in gentle heat in March, transplant the 
seedlings into boxes, grow in heat till the end of April, then 
harden off and place out in May. For flowering early the 
next year sow in a shady bed outdoors in April, transplant 
the seedlings 8 to ioin. apart in a nursery bed in partial shade 
in June, and finally plant in their flowering positions in Sep- 
tember or October. 
As to varieties suitable for massing in beds or forming a 
floral carpet to taller plants like Carnations or Roses, we recom- 
mend the following : Admiral of the Blues, deep blue ; Bullion, 
golden-yellow ; Bridal Morn, pale blue ; Crimson Bedder, plum 
crimson ; Countess of Hopetoun, pure white ; Councillor 
Walters, purple-crimson; Fred Williams, dark mauve; John 
Young, dark lavender; Kitty Bell, pale lavender; Mrs. C. B. 
Douglas, deep orange; Mauve Queen, mauve; and W. Niel, 
pale rose. These are noted for their dwarf, compact habit and 
great freedom of flowering. 
If varieties are required with larger flowers of superior 
quality, also of more vigorous habit, adapted for growing in 
