The cultivation of the Pansy has occupied the attention of florists for a considerable number of years; and, comparing the varieties now cultivated with those found in our gardens twenty years ago, the giant stride made in its improvement will be at once admitted. Some years ago this favourite flower was grown more extensively than at the present time. There are various reasons for the falling off in this respect, the principal one being a desire for bright and decided colours in plants used in the decoration of the flower-garden, consequent upon the style of bedding or massing so much in repute at the present time. It is gratifying to know that the Pansy is again being sought after, and used as a decorative plant in some of the best gardens in the kingdom; and I am confident that, if as much attention were paid to its particular acquirements as there is to bedding-plants in general, it would outstrip the majority of them in the duration and profusion of its blooms. The Pansy is par excellence the plant for small gardens, and especially with amateurs with limited means at their disposal for wintering half-hardy plants.

Few plants produce a greater number of flowers on the same area of foliage; it is very hardy; a large number can be wintered in a small compass; it is easily propagated, and it is amongst the first flowers to cheer us in the early spring months, and the last to leave us in the late autumn.

For the benefit of those readers of the ' Gardener' who might wish to give the Pansy a trial in the flower-garden, I beg to subjoin a few cultural notes, and if I induce them to become cultivators of my favourite, I shall consider myself more than repaid for my trouble. In reference to its propagation, this may be done at any time from March till December; but the cuttings to form the principal stock should be put in the last week of September or the first week of October. At this time of the year, if the plants have been grown in suitable soil, and been duly attended to the previous summer, there will be found springing from around the root of each plant a number of little shoots from 1 to 3 inches long - these make the best cuttings; many of them "will be found to have little roots springing from their base, and should be planted apart from the others, as they will get on faster in consequence, and bloom earlier than those destitute of such roots. With a sharp knife trim a few of the under leaves off each cutting, and insert them in lines 6 inches apart, and 3 inches from cutting to cutting in the lines.

As the work proceeds, press the soil closely about each line; and should bright sun occur, give a slight shading for six or eight days - but shade is seldom necessary at this season of the year. For the cutting-bed choose a sheltered spot with a western aspect; its size must depend on the number of cuttings to be put in, and should be made as follows: upon the surface of the soil place on their edges parallel to each other two boards, about 7 inches in width and 4 feet apart; fasten them by nailing them to two wooden pins previously driven into the ground, and place a board across at the ends, and fill up the enclosed space, first with 3 inches of coal cinders to act as drainage, the remaining 4 inches with a compost of two parts good garden-soil, one part wood charcoal, burned earth, or charred rubbish of some kind pounded moderately fine, and one part sharp sand, thoroughly mixed; press this mixture firmly, and make smooth the surface of the bed; it is then in readiness to receive the cuttings.

When hard weather sets in, as a protection against cutting winds nail Spruce or other evergreen branches to the boards surrounding the bed; let their tops meet over the plants, but be careful not to place them so close as to materially exclude the light.

The beds in which Pansies are to bloom should be trenched and turned over at least twice during the winter. At the second turning spread from 4 to 6 inches of well-rotted manure over the surface, and as the turning proceeds let it be properly mixed with the soil.

The end of April or beginning of May is the best time to remove the plants to their blooming quarters; many of them will be in bloom, and at once give some return for the care bestowed upon them. Plant rather deep, and if the soil is in good working order, press it firmly round each plant. The state of the weather will regulate the amount of water necessary, and this must be left to the judgment of the cultivator.

The first week in June mulch the beds with old manure passed through a coarse sieve; give a good watering, which must be repeated as often as necessary: remembering that a mere surface sprinkling is worse than useless, therefore give a liberal supply on each occasion. Look over the beds occasionally, and pick off the seed-pods; stop any shoot that is unduly taking the lead; and should a plant appear unhealthy, remove it at once, and fill its place with one from the reserve bed. So far as propagation, soil, etc, are concerned, the above remarks will apply to Tansies grown for exhibition; but when the latter is the aim of the grower, he must keep up a succession of young plants, as they invariably produce liner blooms, both in point of colour, size, and shape, than older plants. Thin the flowers on weak-growing kinds, and during a fortnight previous to the show, shade from bright sunshine and protect from heavy rains, as the least spot of dirt, blotch, or blemish on any of the flowers will tell against a stand when placed on the exhibition table.

For effect in the flower-garden, the self-coloured Pansies are best; the yellows, whites, dark-purples, and blues are as effective when used in masses as most of our half-hardy bedding plants, and when treated as directed above seldom fail to give satisfaction. J. H.

[Those of our readers who dwell in the south of England, and who cultivate Pansies in the open ground for exhibition, should plant their beds much earlier than the time named by our correspondent. It should be done in October and November, or else in February or March. Generally, in the drier districts of the south, they are cultivated in pots, a practice rendered almost if not absolutely necessary by the frequent prevalence of dry hot weather at the end of the spring or early part of the summer. Very shortly we hope to give an outline of the cultural process of one of the most successful amateur cultivators and exhibitors in the south of England. - Eds].