150 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
the full influence of the weather; where this cannot be done, 
the Camellia is better in portable utensils which admit both of 
examining the roots and placing in the open air, or in a greater 
heat, at pleasure. In placing the Camellia out of doors, if a 
bottom has not been made for their reception in a partially 
shaded situation, I would recommend foot tiles or inch boards 
to stand them upon, to prevent the worms working in the pots, 
as they are very destructive to the roots. 
April 10. 1845. 
THE POLYANTHUS. 
By Mr. J. Atkins. 
This beautiful and early spring flower has been much neglected 
of late by many of the London florists. It is a lover of pure 
air, for when planted in a genial soil and in a cool shady situa¬ 
tion, having the morning sun to warm and enliven it, it thrives 
luxuriantly ; and yet the ground should not be too damp or wet 
below, as I have found the roots are apt to canker. I am not 
aware that the Polyanthus is anywhere else so generally culti¬ 
vated, or with greater success, than in Derb} r shire, Lancashire, 
Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire. There is hardly a garden in 
those counties that does not contain some fine varieties, more or 
less. Being one of the earliest flowers in spring, its appearance 
is greeted with a welcome every where. 
Its two most prevailing colours are, a very dark reddish brown 
and a bright red or crimson hue, edged with yellow, a deep 
orange, or lemon colour. 
As to its culture, it is found to succeed best in strong loam, 
and old rotten cow-dung and leaf mould, with a little river sand 
in proportion. 
The common mode of propagating the Polyanthus is by 
dividing the roots in spring or in September. This should be 
done with the hand, for they are not very fond of the knife. As 
soon as they have done flowering in spring, they should be 
earthed up round the neck of the plants. 
I prefer turning them out of their pots into the open ground 
after blooming, where they may remain until autumn ; the roots 
may then be divided, and the plants re-potted; I mean those 
