The beauty of this plant can only be fully appreciated when seen under good cultivation; for the Pansy, above all other plants, must have a rich, light soil to develop its good qualities, both as regards size of flower and depth of color. Experience shows that to grow Pansies in what might be called good soil for other plants, but too loamy for this, only produces small flowers and thin petals. Having seen the same variety under both treatments, I am convinced of the fact. Half a dozen good varieties are plenty to start with. Plant them out in a situation not exposed to the mid-day sun; save seed from the largest and most distinct flowers as early in the season as possible. Although there are a great many varieties under this name, yet it is somewhat difficult to keep them through the summer season. The best method for obtaining a good crop of plants and flowers in the spring is, by sowing seed at the proper time, and relying entirely upon seedlings every season; for, depend upon it, you will get from young, vigorous plants finer and a much larger quantity of blooms, than from old stunted plants that are kept from year to year; and as variety is charming, that you will obtain also.

If seed are sown the latter part of July, or beginning of August, in a frame, good plants will be produced by October. Prepare another frame with well-rotted manure and leaf-mold, press it well, and fill to within six inches of the glass. Set the plants out six or eight inches apart each way. In November they will commence to bloom, and keep on through the winter if well protected from the frost In March and April they will flower very freely. As soon as the weather will permit, plant them out in a half-shady situation, and during the months of May and June they will be interesting objects.

The best plan for obtaining seed for another season is by leaving a few plants of the largest and most distinctly marked flowers in the frame, where you can bestow a little extra care on them by watering when necessary, and also for gathering the seed; for, if left too long, the capsules will burst, and you will be likely to lose most of it. Even if grown as a frame-flower only, like the Neapolitan violet, the Pansy will pay for the trouble.

[With his communication, Mr. Pry sent us some specimens of his flowers, which were good evidence of his skill and the value of his mode of growing the Pansy. - Ed].

The Pansy #1

The natural order Violaceos comprises a very beautiful genus of small but very pretty and desirable plants, embracing not only the well-known winter-flowering Neapolitan and Russian Violets, but those great favorites of every lover of spring-flowering plants, the Pansy, which is a flower universally admired, and perhaps without a rival in the extent to which it is grown. We have found it in the garden of the mansion and the cottage throughout the Eastern and Middle States, and have sent them to every State of the Union. Twenty-five years since it was a mere weed compared to the highly improved and highly prized varieties of the present day. The advance that has been made in it has been such as to induce thousands of ladies and gardeners to procure and grow it. But there are many who complain that they can not grow Pansies; to help these is now my object; and if the few remarks which I have to offer may tend to promote the culture of this beautiful plant, I shall be highly gratified.

April, May, and June are the months when the Pansy is in perfection; the object of the cultivator must therefore be to have his plants in good, healthy condition for flowering at that period. Cuttings may be taken from the middle of August to the end of September, or later; for this purpose select the side-shoots, as they almost invariably make the best plants, and root much sooner than the flowering shoots, which are not unfrequently hollow and quite unfit for making good plants. Never use any kind of glass for covering over the cuttings, but put them in the open border, shading them from the sun and watering them freely during dry weather, until they are sufficiently rooted. The surface-soil should be frequently stirred, and no weeds be allowed to grow among them.

Soon as well rooted, commence to pot them in two- or three-inch pots, according to the quantity of roots, using a compost of good loam, leaf-mould, and very rotten manure, with a portion of good, sharp river-sand, and an inch of broken bones, or small pieces of charcoal, at the bottom of the pots for drainage. After they are potted, place them in a cold frame, shading them during the warmest part of the day until sufficiently established, which will be in about ten days. In this situation they may remain during the winter, giving them as much air as possible during fine weather, and protecting them from severe frosts by banking up round the frames, and covering the sash with mats or straw.

About the first week in March repot some of the strongest and best varieties into six-inch pots, using the same kind of compost as before, with plenty of drainage at the bottom of the pots. In repotting it will be well to remove some of the soil from the ball, but care is necessary to avoid any injury to the delicate fibres. When potted, place them again in the frame, raising them to within six inches of the glass. Admit air as previously, and to make good-shaped plants the pots should be turned round frequently, and the soil stirred upon the surface; by this means the plants become stiff and well formed.

To secure a succession of bloom through the summer months, plants: should be planted out in a shady border about the first week in May and the blast of June, in a compost the same as recommended for potting.

In planting, place the plants not nearer each other than eighteen inches, and never all low them to become too bushy, or the flowers will deteriorate in size. Liquid manure may be liberally given them, keeping the plants about three main stems. During heavy storms the flowers will require protecting, which can be done by placing a roll of canvas over the bed, which should be fixed in such a manner as to roof up and down at an angle of 45 degrees, which will not only protect them from storms, but likewise from the fierce rays of the sun. Injury from this cause not unfrequently disappoints the hopes of those who cultivate the Pansy, more particularly when they are cultivated in the open border.

I would strongly urge the advantage of growing this beautiful plant in pots, which will render the grower independent of the weather, as well as of unnatural soil, etc.

[It will be perceived that Mr. Barker's plan of growing the Pansy differs from that of Mr. Fry, published last month. The latter prefers to resort to seed each year; and when the seed is carefully saved from choice kinds, a fair proportion of good varieties may be looked for. Mr. Barker, however, prefers to make sure of his choice kinds by propagating them from cuttings, the only way in which the object can be certainly secured. The amateur can try both methods, but he must be careful to secure good seed, or he will be doomed to disappointment. With his article Mr. Barker sent us some specimens of his Pansies, and they were certainly fine. - Ed].