ioo8 Rural School Leaflet 



The greatest value of the snapdragon is as a border plant and for use 

 as a cut flower. 



Stocks. — Stocks have a bushy habit of growth, are very vigorous, and 

 have fragrant flowers in many colors. They have a long blooming season. 



The plants are grown successfully in a wide range of soils and with 

 varied cultural methods. Good garden soil, well-prepared, will give satis- 

 factory results. Plant the seed outdoors in May, rather shallow, in rows 

 eighteen inches apart. The plants should be thinned later to stand at 

 least one foot apart. For early blooms the seed may be sown in the 

 hotbed, and with one or two transplantings the plants will be in the 

 best condition for the development of a large number of blossoms. 



Stocks are very useful for bedding purposes, for borders, for house 

 or conservatory culture, and for cut flowers. 



Sweet William. — This plant requires a good garden soil in the best 

 condition. The seed may be sown in May or June, one fourth to one 

 half inch deep in rows twelve inches apart. When the seedlings are two 

 or three inches tall they should be thinned to six inches apart. 



For early bloom seeds can be sown in the hotbed, the seedlings being 

 transplanted later according to the general directions. 



Verbena. — For general outdoor use the seed may be sown the first 

 week in March, either in a hotbed or in a flat in the house. Soak the 

 seed in tepid water for one or two hours, sow in the seed box, which has 

 been filled with light, rich soil, cover the seed one fourth of an inch deep, 

 press the soil down firmly, water only sparingly. When the seedlings 

 have grown to about an inch tall transplant them into flats or boxes, 

 allowing two or three inches between the plants. 



About the last of May or the first of June transplant the seedlings 

 into the garden, selecting a sunny place for them. The soil should be 

 rich and well compacted, allowing good drainage however. Set the plants 

 in rows eighteen inches apart, the plants being eighteen inches apart 

 in the row. Give clean culture until the verbenas cover the ground, 

 making a carpet of flowers when in full bloom. 



Zinnia. — Sow the seed outdoors the last of April in a rich garden 

 soil, in rows twelve inches apart, thinning the seedlings when two or 

 three inches tali to at least twelve inches apart in the rows. These 

 plants should bloom throughout the entire season. The zinnia can be 

 grown in the hotbed and transplanted, giving earlier blooms. 



The plants can be used for borders or beds. 



