THE FLORIST. 
17 
Set apart, at a distance from the general collection, say a border 
four feet wide, forty or fifty feet long, more or less, according to cir¬ 
cumstances. Plant a row of Pansies one foot from the front, and two 
feet apart. A foot farther back, in an angle with the Pansies, let 
patches of three Pinks be planted, either in separate varieties, or of 
three distinct sorts, with a view to chance impregnation. At a foot 
behind these, let patches of Carnations and Picotees be planted al¬ 
ternately ; and cultivate the whole with no less care than the show 
plants; and rely upon it, that the result would give more satisfac¬ 
tion to the cultivator, and more benefit to floriculture, than all the 
seed saved in the kingdom on the usual careless system would do for 
seven years to come. I am presuming that there shall be about 
twenty plants of well-selected Pansies, twenty patches or sixty plants 
of choice Pinks, and the same number of the best Carnations and 
Picotees together. The succession of bloom would, of itself, in a 
border so planted, be sufficient encouragement alone. The Pansies 
would commence, the Pinks would follow; and whilst attending to 
the former, the latter would and must be under close observation. 
These in bloom would soon be backed up by the Carnations and 
Picotees ; and the four varieties of flowers would receive attention 
at one view. The Pansies would continue to force themselves on the 
attention, saying, in the language of flowers, “ Forget me not.” But 
throughout the whole time of blooming the bed must be carefully 
watched, all imperfect or defective blossoms must be removed, allow¬ 
ing those only to remain for seed that would be fit for exhibition in 
a stand of twelve; in fact, proceeding just on the opposite princi¬ 
ple to the general practice, which is to exhibit such flowersj and save 
seed from the worthless ones, such as Pinks deficient of lacing, Pan¬ 
sies with rough edges or confused eyes. Carnations and Picotees short 
of colour or spotty, and Dahlias from spent plants. To the amateur 
is owing the greatest improvements which have taken place, it being 
an admitted fact that most of our good varieties have been raised by 
that class of cultivators; and this has been attributed with justice 
to the select character of their collections, by which, says a practical 
author, “ such a number of fine seedlings have been produced; whilst 
others annually raise thousands, and do not obtain a good one.” 
Pinks, Picotees, and Carnations for seed should be allowed to carry 
more buds than plants cultivated for exhibition-blooms ; and a robust 
growth is far more desirable than a vigorous one. Another quota¬ 
tion from an eminent cultivator, and I shall conclude. He writes, 
“ I have often put out a piece for seed, but. the best were sure to 
get budded up for the sake of the bloom.” 
I hope dealers, to whom this article is particularly addressed, 
will accept my remarks in as friendly a spirit as I offer them. I 
have but one thought,—the advancement of floriculture. 
Holloway^ December. 
If you wish to enjoy your garden, never allow your expenditure upon 
it to exceed the limit dictated by a just prudence. 
NO. I. c 
