THE PANSEY. 
81 
behind in wet weather, and removing them altogether when it is 
fine. Water cautiously, and keep them clear of slugs, and there 
will remain but little doubt of their passing through the gloomy 
season unscathed. By the end of February or early in March, 
the strongest may be bedded out, reserving the smaller plants 
for a month or so, and then begins again the season’s routine just 
described. Some cultivators depend on the last plantation of 
autumn for their first spring flowers, but such plants are by no 
means safe, a severe winter frequently destroys a great number ; 
such as survive, however, generally produce a few good flowers 
early, and supply the best cuttings for the spring propagation. 
As regards originating the pansey from seed, I would remark, 
it is not advisable to make more than two sowings in a season, 
one in March, and the other about the end of May : the first 
will bloom just before the beginning of the hot weather, and the 
latter in autumn. If the convenience of a hot-bed is at hand, 
the first sowing may be made in it and the plants pricked out 
while small, which will forward their blooming considerably. 
Seedlings will not bear removal after they have grown to a 
moderate size, and therefore to sow in autumn is only to incur 
the risk of losing the produce in winter, because they cannot 
be taken up for protection. 
As soon as cuttings can be got from such as have promising 
qualities, strike them at once, and thus secure the kind ; but it is 
entirely useless to attempt the removal of the parent plant: 
in cases where a good flower appears late in the season and has 
no lateral shoots, the best means of preserving it is to cover with 
a small glass in the worst weather, to take it up is to destroy it, 
and many really good varieties are thus lost. The only additional 
remark I need make relates to the choice of cuttings : avoid the 
terminal or main stem and those which are hollow, as is frequently 
the case in summer; such as these seldom succeed; the smaller 
pieces from near the base of the stem are most certain, and if 
placed under a shaded glass in a sunny situation, nine tenths 
will grow. 
J. C. Brown. 
