88 
THE FLORIST. 
injurious and unscientific practice has by many been recommended, 
on the whimsical theory that a lacerated wound in the Polyanthus 
or Auricula is sooner healed than an incised one ! Lacerated wounds, 
both in plants and animals, are most dangerous. The main, or tap¬ 
root, should be shortened to within an inch of the insertion of the 
leaves, that a few of the young and more vigorous fibrous roots only 
be retained. The method of planting is perhaps the most important 
feature in the culture of the Polyanthus—it must be set deep. Hav¬ 
ing made a hole in the earth with a trowel, place the plant so deep 
therein that the very crown of the root be covered one inch with soil; 
for it is from this upper part that the young roots proceed ; and 
hence it is essential that they at once meet with earth in which to 
grow and ramify. If this condition be not afforded, it will either 
dwindle and damp off from the perishing of these young roots, or we 
shall witness a stunted plant, with a bunch of curly fibres, struggling 
to reach the surface of the earth—IK^^ery common sight in a neglected 
border of Polyanthuses. It may be planted in rows, and every way 
about eight inches apart; and having thoroughly watered the bed, 
the plants require no further care whatever; all covering or protec¬ 
tion in the winter being wholly unnecessary or hurtful. 
In the spring, the surface of the bed, and around the plants, 
should be made neat and clean; and when the flower-stems have 
risen, and the flowers are about to expand, they should be protected 
by an awning from the rain and sun, or the freshness and richness of 
their colours will be deteriorated. If required for the purpose of ex¬ 
hibition, or for ornamenting a cool, airy greenhouse, or even a cold 
frame, they may be readily taken up, without risk or injury, with a 
ball of earth, and put into common-sized Auricula-pots, being at the 
same time liberally supplied with water; when no longer required 
for such purposes, they must again be returned to the bed. 
When the bloom is over, and during the summer-months, the 
plants still require no care, beyond the ordinary attention of keeping 
them clean, and the earth moderately moist by occasional watering; 
for although, from the proper situation of the bed, the sun is not 
permitted to shine thereon, yet if the Polyanthus be subjected to 
drought, it is extremely apt to become infested with the red spider, 
as indicated by the destructive yellow mottling of the foliage. 
Such, then, is the simple treatment required by the Polyanthus— 
a flower which is endeared to us as being associated with our earliest 
recollections of a flow'er-garden, and which recalls to us all the joyous 
existence of childhood ! Let us cherish this flower—for, in imagina¬ 
tion, it gently leads us back to that first period of our lives when the 
heart was happy, because it was innocent. Let us cherish it—for it 
admonishes us that innocence and virtue are ever the requirements 
for happiness. Let us cherish it—for it tells us of the stealthy flight 
of Time, and of the lapse of the young heart’s feelings; how our 
childhood glides on into age, and how its innocence is overtaken of 
evil! 
Hull, March 1848. 
