April 22 . 
COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION 
(17 
plant called Cirus is also a neat, trim edging of a useful 
kind, but the plant has ceased to be much used. Double 
Chamomile spreads so wide in summer as to become 
objectionable, as likewise do all the ordinary herbs in 
general use, so that it would be well to limit the use of 
edgings of all these things to those inner margins where 
a permanent edging is not called for; and to those who 
may be anxious to try these things, 1 may mention, that 
Winter Savory, Hyssop, Sage, Pennyroyal, Parsley, 
Strawberries, Chamomile, and several other things, are 
used occasionally for such purposes; and, not unusually, 
rows of small salading form, for the time being, a pretty, 
effective edging. 
When a garden consists of both light and heavy 
soils, it would be prudent to crop them accordingly. 
Broad Beans, Strawberries, Black Currants, Raspberries, 
and Lettuce (in summer), all like a cool soil that is 
tolerably deep. On the other hand, Cauliflowers aud 
Lettuce to stand the winter. Wall Fruit, trees and 
Potatoes prefer a light soil, whilst the intermediate soil 
is best lor the bulk of other crops as well as the above, 
in general cases. In fact, seasons and situations have 
as much influence on the well-being of the crop as the 
nature of the soil, and most plants of the Cabbage 
section like a rich, deeply-cultivated soil; and as most 
vegetables that are gross feeders are better in quality 
when grown luxuriantly, it would be well to give them 
plenty of such assistance, while other crops, as Potatoes, 
being sometimes injured by its too liberal application, it 
would be well to think of them also at the proper time. 
One thing must not be forgotten, if a good, healthy 
growth aud good success is expected; namely, that it is 
necessary to trench the ground pretty deep, for even 
plants of apparently humble growth send their shoots 
much deeper into the earth than is generally supposed. 
I noticed a bed of Onions which we had here last year had 
penetrated more than two feet deep. The crop was 
certainly a good one, and the plants stood thicker than 
usual on the ground. But in all hot seasons, plants in 
search of moisture invariably strike their roots down¬ 
wards; aud if their course that wav be not impeded 
by some hard substance, and if the subsoil be of a whole¬ 
some kind, there is every likelihood of the plant not 
suffering from the dry weather for some time; but if a 
hard-bouud subsoil arrest the downward progress of the 
roots, they must inevitably suffer; and as the object of 
nature is to effect its own offices in re production, the 
plants so suffering will he sure to hasten to a premature 
ripeness, the seed will be formed before the plant is of any 
use as a vegetable, and the purposes of the cultivator 
will be frustrated. 
One purpose which a light soil is eminently qualified 
for, is the germination of seeds in spring, there being 
seldom any lack of moisture at that time ; such a soil, too, 
is less liable to the ravages of slugs and other depredators 
than most others. Seeds of various Brocoli, Savoys, 
Lettuce, and other things intended to be planted out, 
had better bo raised in a light soil, aud planted out in 
due time ;—in a wet or cold season, or cold climate also, 
it is easy to see the utility of such a soil; while, in 
preserving the plants that are destined to live over the 
winter, a light soil is, without exception, the best that 
can be had for the purpose. As circumstances often 
determine the situation of the garden soil, it is right 
here to mention a very excellent old maxim, that “ lime 
loosens heavy soils and binds light ones;” the dung cart 
may be very valuable, but this other assistant is not 
half so much used as it ought to be ; and as the cost 
is not a serious affair in gardens where the well-being 
of every thing is concerned, I would strongly advise 
this old “renovator” to be again restored to the position 
it used to occupy in cultural alfairs, being assured that 
its utility is oftener under-rated than that of many of its 
more fashionable compeers, and whether it be an old 
garden or a new one, its application is seldom without 
its uses. J. Robson. 
THE BEST FANCY DAHLIAS. 
{Continued from page 34.) 
Alliance (Perry’s), dark stripe, very constant; fine 
shape. 4 ft. 
Asiphion (Cailloux), fawn, striped with crimson; ge, 
fine flower. 4 ft. 
Butterfly (Salter’s), sulphur, striped rose and red; well 
up in the centre ; very constant. 3 ft. 
Baron Aldersun (Perry’s), orange, tipt white, very large, 
and, when in trim, one of the very best. 3 ft. 
Comet (Keynes’), fawn, striped crimson ; requires cut¬ 
ting out; very fine centre; and very constant. 3 feet. 
Cockatoo (Walter's), purple, tipt white; very large; 
good eye. 4 ft. 
Duchess of Kent (Knight’s), yellow, tipt white; good 
in either state, and tit to show as a self, which it often 
comes. 3 ft. 
Eugenia (Addis’), purple, tipt white ; good centre, always 
showable ; rather too ribby at times ; but the colour is much ! 
wanted ; constant. 4 ft. 
Elizabeth (l’roctor’s), purple edged, good olcl show { 
flower; well known. 3 ft. 
Enchantress (Alexander’s), blush, striped purple; first- 
rate flower; large. 4 ft. 
Enchanter (Keynes’), ruby, striped red; in the way of 
Marcel, but a much better flower; very full, perfect shape. 3 ft. 
Florence Nightingale (Dodd’s), dark fawn, tipt white; 
one of the finest fancy flowers ever yet sent out; grand show 
flower. 3 ft. 
Imperatrice Eugenie (Magnet), purple maroon, tipt 
1 white; very delicate flower,requires thinning; very beautiful 
1 when in order. 3 ft. 
I Inimitable (Salter's), orange saimou, striped crimson; 
extra fine form, very full, requires well cutting out. 4 ft. 
Jonas (Mason’s), striped maroon; fine old flower. 5 ft. 
Laura Layington (Dodd’s), fine old model; buff, tipt 
white. 3 ft. 
Miss Herbert (Dodd's), maroon, tipt white; rather 
uncertain, but very first-rate when caught; requires cutting i 
well out. 4 ft. 
Mns. Stary (Keynes’), fawn, tipt white, every flower tipt; 
always to be depended on ; good shape. 3 ft. 
Miss Fkamfton (ltawlings’), lied, tipt white; must be 1 
well cut out, and will then throw most beautiful flowers. 3ft. 
Marvel (Pope’s), yellow, striped scarlet; good, useful 
flower, well known. 4 ft. 
Pigeon (De Kuyff’s), rosy orange, tipt while; must be 
cut out; very good show flower. 3 ft. 
Sroi (Keynes'), lilac, spotted with crimson, sometimes 
comes all lilac; it is very first class in either state, and 
must please every one. 4 ft. 
Torsy (Keynes’), mottled purple; fine show flower. 3ft. 
Triomphe De IIoudaix (Buisson), buff, tipt white; rather ; 
low in the centre, but very useful in a collection of twenty- 
four. 3 ft. 
Fancy flowers require very little cutting out; they gene¬ 
rally come large enough without it. Where I have considered 
it necessary I have named it. From the others, I merely ] 
thin away the under growth, and keep a good head of 
bloom. I now fulfil niy promise, and trust my endeavours 
to satisfy your correspondents will be successful.— John \ 
Keynes, Florist, Salisbury. 
CULTURE OF IMPATIENS JERDONLE. 
Of all the plants tfiat have of late years been introduced 
into this country, none stands more pre-eminent as an orna¬ 
mental plant, whether for exhibition, or for adorning the 
table of the conservatory, than the Impalitns Jcrdonia. It, is 
so easy of culture, so showy, so princely in appearance, and 
continuing in bloom fully six months, is altogether so valu¬ 
able, that no amateur* be his collection of plants ever so 
choice, should be without this gem. 
The following mode of treatment has produced plants in 
