1876. ] 
THE POLYANTHUS. 
149 
of his pets on the home stage. Whatever else he may learn, he will soon arrive 
at the knowledge that first prizes are won or lost at home. 
Varieties which start early for bloom, or are bad winter doers, are best from 
pipings, and this operation should be performed at once. A gentle heat is 
serviceable, where it can be controlled ; where either skill or opportunity is 
wanting, the pipings will be better (under hand or bell glasses, of course, in 
either case) in the open ground. Use a soil composed of sharp grit or sand two 
parts, loam and leaf-mould each one part—passing the whole through a fine 
sieve—a fine, gritty soil producing a rapid emission of roots.—E. S, Podwell, 
THE POLYANTHUS. 
t 
^^HIS beautiful flower has of late come to the front, and is beginning to have 
that attention bestowed on it that it so well merits. It is very hardy, and 
seldom dies even in the most unfavourable seasons. It is liable, however, 
to be destroyed by snails and slugs, and in the heat of summer it suffers 
from red-spider. As it is one of the earliest harbingers of spring, and continues 
a long time in flower, it is invaluable for decorative purposes. 
It is propagated by dividing the roots, which are perennial; and to pro¬ 
cure new varieties, by sowing the seeds of approved sorts. For this latter pur¬ 
pose, the seed should be gathered in .June, and may either be sown at once in 
boxes, or kept until spring. If sown at once, the boxes should be placed in the 
open air with a northern aspect. When the young plants are up and sufficiently 
large to handle, they should be put out into open beds, taking care not to disturb 
the earth about the young roots when moving them. They should be carefully 
watered and shaded until they commence growing. Some of these plants will 
show flowers the same autumn, and most of them in the following spring. They 
should be transplanted every two years. As seedlings generally flower much 
better than off-sets, those who would have these flowers in perfection should 
annually raise a quantity of plants from seed. A pure, clear air is necessary for 
their vigorous growdh, and they should always be grown in a bed or border having an 
eastern aspect. The Polyanthus is very impatient of heat and drought, and delights in 
a cool, or rather moist and shaded locality, where it can enjoy a few hours of the 
morning or afternoon sun. Light composts are unsuitable ; it succeeds best in a re¬ 
tentive soil from an old pasture, enriched with some cow-manure. Old plants of 
the best sorts should be divided after they have done flowering, and planted in 
properly-prepared borders. They should be carefully watered until they get 
established, after which they will require no further care, but only to be kept 
clear from weeds. ' 
Though pure free air, a good soil, and a favourable situation are necessary to 
grow the Polyanthus fine, it may yet be planted largely in shrubbery borders and 
other places, where large masses will in spring have a fine effect, even if the 
individual flowers and trusses are not equal to those grown in properly and well- 
prepared beds.—M, Saul, Stourton, 
