14 
THE FLORIST. 
son. As they will naturally commence growing early in this month, 
greater vigilance must be observed to cover the plants at the ap¬ 
proach of frost, if early bloom is required, as the buds will suffer in 
a very young state. 
Those to succeed the first bloom should now be planted out from 
the store pots, in beds that have been ridged up all the winter. 
Pansies will grow in any soil, but thrive best in a good mellow 
sandy loam, made tolerably rich with good rotten manure and leaf 
mould : whatever the soil may be naturally, add that which will 
bring it nearest to the above. For instance, if the soil is a close 
adhesive loam, mix in plenty of a light nature, with coarse sand ; 
good stiff loam may be added to great advantage, if the soil is light, 
—the Pansy being a plant that cannot stand drought, such as -would 
be experienced with light soil in dry weather. 
In choosing a situation for this planting, it is most desirable to 
select one free from the sun for a few hours in the hottest part of the 
day : this will cause the blooms to keep their colour a much longer 
time. 
If large blooms are required for exhibition, the distance from 
plant to plant should be 15 inches for strong-growing varieties ; 10 
inches will be sufficient for those of an opposite character, and that 
seldom cover but very little space. “Exquisite,” “Ariadne,” and 
“ Miss Tarrant,” are of this class, and should be planted in a separ¬ 
ate bed, otherwise such rude-growing kinds as “ Mary Jane,” “ Rain¬ 
bow,” and others, will run over them Two-thirds of the distance 
above named will be sufficient if grown for effect in the garden. 
Pluck off any flowers that may appear before the plants are esta¬ 
blished in the ground. 
A few cuttings may now be put in to advantage; and when 
struck, should be planted in a north border, which plants will flower 
all the summer in good colour, if the situation is a proper one, and 
be the means of providing a succession of bloom from March until 
November, as the stock propagated during the summer months will 
bloom freely and fine all the autumn. 
Cuttings will strike throughout the -whole year, and should be 
taken as often as they can be found on choice valuable kinds. 
The most troublesome time to manage cuttings is during the hot 
weather: they are most easily struck in March and the autumn 
months. 
For autumn, winter, and spring striking, we make use of pots; 
pressing them firmly and closely to the edge, using sandy soil, 
with plenty of drainage; but for summer propagation, we prefer a 
shady border, which should be well drained, and prepared so that 
worms cannot disturb the cuttings. They should be protected from 
heavy rain, and from exposure to the sun ; but if they are shaded, 
like most other cuttings, they -will most assuredly damp off. All 
depends on the situation, which should be light without sun. Ano¬ 
ther difficulty to contend with at this time, arises from harsh drying 
winds. We use hand-lights and small frames, so that both heavy 
rain and wind can be effectually kept from them. However, not 
