Poets Lave immortalised the Pansy. But the Pansy of the poet and the Pansy of the florist differ somewhat. "The Pansy freaked with jet" is the poet's flower. The subject of these notes is of roundest form, its markings distinctly defined, its "eye" without fault - the Pansy of the florist. Offspring of that of the poet, the Pansy of the florist has inherited the sentimental traditions which cluster round its name. To some it is known simply as "heart's-ease;" to their ears "Pansy" is a meaningless sound. To many, the simple seedling forms, flourishing in lowly beauty, give as much pleasure in the mass of blooms they individually bear as would the more refined sorts. And, moreover, the finer-named sorts make a call on the time and attention which a large class of amateur gardeners do not care to meet. From the prominent position the florist-flower section occupies in the business of seedsmen, the number of Pansies, as also of other florist-flowers cultivated from seed, must be considerable, and consequently prove a means of no slight value for encouraging a love for flowers. It is, of course, of the first importance to secure a supply of seed from a good strain and a reliable source; but having got so far, the best means of raising a healthy lot of plants is of almost as much importance.

Believing this, the directions for propagating plants from seed are made full and plain; and although referring particularly to the seed-bed being in the open, the advantage of a cold frame may be taken where such can be had. As the young plants need not be removed from the seed-bed till the spring after sowing, a sheltered position should be chosen for the bed. Provided the soil is in ordinary good condition, all that will be necessary to do by way of preparing the bed will be met by pointing in a dressing of dry decayed manure of an open nature. If the weather is droughty, and water required, apply the water in the morning, and after noon sow the seed. The seed requires to be very thinly scattered over the bed, in order to secure plenty of space for the growth of the young plants. Coyer the seeds with a very thin sprinkling of fine soil, then tread the bed over moderately firm. These measures will do much to produce a dwarf and slow growth in the plants, calculated to stand the changes of winter with impunity; and in spring lift with balls of netted root-work. But we must return to the bed, and finish there. Directions have been given as to moistening the soil in case of dryness.

Now, as a means of keeping the soil in an equable state of moisture, cover the bed with mats or other suitable material. With this precaution, no further watering will be required, and the seeds will in due time germinate, when the coverings will be no longer necessary. August is a good time to sow; and the following February the plants will be ready to transplant into their flowering positions. In June they will commence to flower, and, under good cultivation, will continue flowering till stopped by inclement weather. Seedlings may be also successfully raised in spring. I use boxes filled with a rich open compost for this season, and place them in a structure where a mild heat is kept up. When sufficiently strong they are pricked off into other boxes, and kept growing till, in April, they are finally planted out. These bloom later than those treated as biennials, but do equally well in other respects.

With regard to the propagation of named sorts from slips with or without roots, the enthusiastic florist who desires a continuous supply of first-rate blooms, must, with an alteration of terms suitable to the circumstances, appropriate to himself the laird's advice to his son, and be "aye stickin' in" cuttings. And just a word as to the best kind of cuttings. I like them about 2 inches in length, and stocky. These are much better root-producers, and make better plants than those of much greater length. Plants to flower early in the year should be propagated early in autumn, and planted out about the end of September. Another batch of cuttings taken in the beginning of October will be ready for planting in February following, and will succeed the first-mentioned lot. To succeed these, another batch of cuttings must be struck in spring - this time in a frame; and yet another strike is required for a late bloom. These should be selected with roots attached, and pricked into very rich root-producing soil.

Growers not so anxious to keep a stock of young blooming plants going should propagate in October, and plant out in February, when, with a little attention to the plants in removing seed-capsules, and keeping a thin supply of young growths, with the necessary cultivation of course, a continuous supply of flowers will be had to the end of the season.

Pansies flourish in all kinds of soil; but in order to have them at their best, the Pansy fancier - "Amateur," a Frenchman would designate him - will be at some trouble to gain that end. In some soils it will be unnecessary to do more than dig in a rich dressing; but in soils of a poor nature more pains must be taken in preparing the bed. I would recommend the ground to be deeply trenched in autumn; at the same time working in a liberal dressing of manure whilst the trenching is proceeded with. In spring, 4 inches of the surface-soil should be thrown out, and a compost of fresh loam, decayed manure, and soot thrown into its place, and mixed with the natural soil to the depth of 9 inches. A mulching of spent mushroom-dung, with a little soot added, should be applied to the surface of the soil immediately the plants have been got into their places. Twelve by fifteen inches is a good distance to set out the plants.

Where particularly fine blooms are desired, there is no better plan than I have seen followed by growers in Berwickshire. They have a set of open frames, which are filled with a compost in which the plants are grown; and they have the plants, therefore, entirely under control. Where slugs abound, a gutter is run round the frame, and kept always full of water. Blooms for exhibition should be shaded seven or eight days before the day of show. Some growers cut the blooms the night before they are wanted. The tubes for holding the flowers are made of a particular shape, to suit the conformation of the spur and calyx, and the angle at which the flower lies from the stem.

The "fancy" kinds have now been brought to such a high state of perfection, and are, withal, such free and continuous bloomers, that, to the general lover of flowers, I would strongly recommend these in preference to the older, though perhaps more refined, "show" varieties, making an exception of some of the "self"-coloured flowers in that section, which are very well worth growing alongside the "fancy" varieties. Of course I have no objection myself to the various sections of show sorts - growing, as I do, a large selection of them; but to that great body of florists unconcerned about the nice little points which to the real florist make up the qualities of a flower, there is a far greater amount of pleasure to be got out of the sections recommended than if "show" sorts were added. To all who love and grow flowers I would offer this advice: Add the Pansies to the list of your favourites as soon as possible, if you have not already done so, giving your nurseryman leave to select the kind you require, and you will be highly gratified with this addition to your floral friends.

R. P. Brotherston.