146 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
Just when it is necessary to remove the spring-flowering plants to make 
room for bedding-out the summer stock—-just that very act of moving marks 
the most favourable period for propagating by divisions, by cuttings, &c., as 
suits the description of stuff to be worked upon. This done, I stow them 
away into the cool and moist border, there to remain till the on-coming frost 
will blacken and destroy the tenderer flowers that made me gay during summer. 
When this devastation comes, then my almost-forgotten tenants of the shady 
nook become to me a valuable and favourite stock. 
As a matter of course, that description of plants best adapted for massing 
naturally claims my first attention. I therefore venture to give an enumeration 
of some of those kinds most suitable for my purpose, and that have proved 
themselves to be invaluable for spring gardening in this southern locality. I 
also venture to arrange them in their colours as far as my humble knowledge of 
them will permit. Of white colours I have Arabis, Alyssum, Saxifrage, double 
Primrose, and Cerastium; of yellow, Alyssum saxatile, Pansy, and Cheiranthus 
Marshalli; of blues, Nemophila, Anemones, Myosotis montana, and Pansy; 
of reds, Anemones, Polyanthus, and Silene rubella; of lilacs, double Prim¬ 
rose, Virginian Stock, and Aubrietia purpurea; and to these may be added 
dark Self Pansy, golden-edged Polyanthus, and some others that may be found 
in different localities, and so be ready at hand for use. 
And now as to modes of propagating. The whites, with the exception of 
the Alyssum, which will be best propagated by cuttings, are easily increased 
by division of the plants. The yellows can all be propagated by cuttings ; but 
I could wish that the Cheiranthus were some three weeks earlier in flowering, 
as it would be all the more suitable for the purpose. I have no hesitation in 
saying that, when grown in masses, there is no spring-flowering plant that can 
equal it for effect and brilliancy. Of blues, Nemophila should be raised from 
seed in the autumn, and transplanted into the beds for the winter; Anemones 
from seed, and by division of the plants; and the Myosotis by division also. 
I had a bed of this last-named this season that was a “ cushion of vivid blue,” 
as some writer has it—it was a mass of bright celestial blue, unequalled for 
effect by any plant of the same colour that I have at hand. I propagate the 
reds by seed and by division. The Silene rubella, a charming spring-flowering 
plant, should be sown in the summer, and transplanted into its winter quarters. 
It comes into bloom early, and forms a very effective mass of reddish pink. 
In regard to the lilacs, sow the Virginian Stock the same time as the Nemophila; 
the rest can be multiplied by partition and cuttings. The blue Pansies I pro¬ 
pagate by cuttings rather than by seed : I get them into bloom earlier, and 
insure uniformity of colour as well. For spring flower-gardening there is 
scarcely a flower so available for decorative purposes as the almost numberless 
varieties of the Pansy; they amply repay the small modicum of care that it 
is necessary to expend upon them. A good bed of gold-edged Polyanthus 
must be seen to be appreciated, not only for its general effect, but also for the 
singular beauty and even markings of the individual flowers. Respecting the 
larger beds, any kind of spring-flowering plant will help to make them gay, 
especially if intermingled with close-growing shrubs, the budding shoots of 
which lend valuable aid in this direction. Wallflowers can be largely used 
here, especially the common German varieties, with their strange interminglings 
of colour. I saw two beds of German Wallflowers this spring, and was much 
struck with their attractive appearance. 
Far removed as I am from the great centres of thought and opinion, I aver 
that I have no faith in the prophetic vision of those who proclaim a speedy 
return to the system of mixed beds. The method has passed away: all our 
decorative gardening now tends towards the opposite pole of design. I do not 
