DIY History | Transcribe | Szathmary Culinary Manuscripts and Cookbooks | Willis Family recipe book, 1833-1861

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Page 49

On the culture of the Pansy  S. C. Cook  Coventry   The aspect I prefer is South East - I always prefer growing them in beds - which beds are 4 ft wide & length according to circumstances - The compost I use is one fourth maiden loam 2 fourths black garden mould and one fourth rotten dung - I always choose short strong plants which are small in circumference - As soon as the season for propagating commences which I consider about the first of July or it a late season it may be delayed till the first of August; I proceed cutting off the strongest shoots observing to to cut them off at a joint & then putting the different varieties into separate vessels of soft water for a few hours which I find greatly to promote their striking - The cutting bed is composted of about one third pit or river sand to insure a closeness round the cutting - then the cuttings of each variety are planted separately & are allowed to remain in that situation until the following spring when they are taken up & planted in beds - It greatly improves the flowers if the plants are watered with liquid manure twice or three times a week
When flowers are withering in a flower pot plunge about one third of the stems in boiling water & by the time the water is cold they will revive;  Then cut off the ends & put them in cold water with a little nitre & they will keep fresh for several days -
Sow all seeds shallow; & if they are small very thinly -
Never put plants into too large pots as they generally run to roots & stalk & seldom blow well.
It is a good method to put oyster shells round the plants in pots in summer as they will not require so much water & will keep the surface cool.
Water in the evening from May to Sept & afterwards in the morning -
To destroy Earwings place the bowls of Tobacco pipes on the tops of flower sticks & you will find them in the morning in the bowl turn them into a bason of water & put the bowls on the sticks again -

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On the culture of the Pansy S. C. Cook Coventry The aspect I prefer is South East - I always prefer growing them in beds - which beds are 4 ft wide & length according to circumstances - The compost I use is one fourth maiden loam 2 fourths black garden mould and one fourth rotten dung - I always choose short strong plants which are small in circumference - As soon as the season for propagating commences which I consider about the first of July or it a late season it may be delayed till the first of August; I proceed cutting off the strongest shoots observing to to cut them off at a joint & then putting the different varieties into separate vessels of soft water for a few hours which I find greatly to promote their striking - The cutting bed is composted of about one third pit or river sand to insure a closeness round the cutting - then the cuttings of each variety are planted separately & are allowed to remain in that situation until the following spring when they are taken up & planted in beds - It greatly improves the flowers if the plants are watered with liquid manure twice or three times a week When flowers are withering in a flower pot plunge about one third of the stems in boiling water & by the time the water is cold they will revive; Then cut off the ends & put them in cold water with a little nitre & they will keep fresh for several days - Sow all seeds shallow; & if they are small very thinly - Never put plants into too large pots as they generally run to roots & stalk & seldom blow well. It is a good method to put oyster shells round the plants in pots in summer as they will not require so much water & will keep the surface cool. Water in the evening from May to Sept & afterwards in the morning - To destroy Earwings place the bowls of Tobacco pipes on the tops of flower sticks & you will find them in the morning in the bowl turn them into a bason of water & put the bowls on the sticks again -