448 
On the Cultivation of the Polyanthus, 
Article IX.— On the Cultivation of the Polyanthus. By 
Mr. John Retell, of Pitsmoor, near Sheffield. 
^ENTLEMEN, 
Seeing by your cover that you intend inserting papers on 
the culture of the Polyanthus, I have forwarded you my opinion on 
that plant. 
In the neighbourhood of Sheffield, we grow it to a great degree of 
perfection. The compost made use of is a light maiden-soil, mixed 
with a little new horse-dung. About the latter end of May is the 
potting season,—be careful to examine the roots and break off the 
greater part of the carrot-stump, leaving no more than that which 
contains plenty of young fibres. Crop the outside of the leaves, but 
leave the heart of the plant untouched. In November, they should be 
placed for protection in a pit;—the best sort for the purpose, is one 
built of brick, and instead of glass-lights to cover them, use wooden 
doors, set them open during fine weather, but shut them close down 
at night during frosty weather, to prevent them being injured. Allow 
them to receive the benefit of gentle rains now and then, throughout 
February and March. 
When the trusses of flowers are formed, which will be about the 
end of March, or beginning of April, thin out all the inferior and mid¬ 
dle buds, after the same manner as recommended for Auriculas, p. .56 
of your Register. At this time, great care will be requisite, to protect 
them from slugs, &c. The system I have generally followed with 
success, is, laying a good floor of ashes from the smithy, for the pots 
to stand upon; but I should recommend “The Bygrave Plant Pre¬ 
server,” described in your Register, page 151, as far preferable, both 
for a neat, simple, and efficacious means of preserving them. 
About the latter end of April, they will be in full blow, and must 
be carefully sheltered from the sun’s rays ; for if exposed to them, the 
colour of the flower will be damaged, if not totally spoiled. Shade 
them in the same manner as I recommended for the Auricula. 
The properties of a good flower, are, having bright and rich colours; 
the eye must be perfectly round, and the markings on the edge of the 
petals, of a bright lemon colour, and the tints or shades of a very dark 
crimson or scarlet, which must be in proportion to the pips; and the 
whole flower must be a complete circle, as TVaterhouse s Georye the 
Fourthy &c. The sorts most esteemed as possessing the best pro¬ 
perties, are,— Waterhouse's George the Fourth, — Pearson's Alexan¬ 
der,—Orawshavu s Invincible, — Cox's Prince Peyent,—Billinyton s 
Beauty of Over, — Park's Lord Nelson, — I'urner’s Emperor Buona¬ 
parte, — Turner's England’s Defiance, — Buck's George the Fourth, — 
