212 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



course slugs and snails take their share of delicate dinners from batches of plants 

 in the seed-leaf. These causes of loss indicate some of the points essential to suc- 

 cess. Let the ground be dug over and broken fine. If in a nice friable condition 

 and not poor, sow on it as it is, after having made it level and slightly sloping 

 towards the walk or alley. If the staple is a stubborn loam or clay, an artificial 

 surface should be made for all choice seeds, and there can be nothing better for the 

 purpose than a mixture of dung rotted to powder and leaf-mould, equal quantities, 

 spread over the surface about three inches deep. Seeds as large as peas and not 

 smaller than radishes sow in drills drawn an inch deep with the back of the rake. 

 Smaller seeds sprinkle on the surface, and cover with about their own thickness of 

 sifted earth, and then gently pat down with the back of the spade, or press with a 

 board. Choose if possible a time when the ground is moist with rain. Sow thin, 

 so that if the seedlings are not immediately transplanted they will not choke eacb 

 other, and avoid if possible giving any water until the seedlings are up. In case of 

 dry hot weather immediately after sowing, cover the seed-bed with boards resting 

 on stones, or with moss or branches of evergreens — anything, in fact, that will 

 prevent the ground becoming too dry, and that can be removed easily ; and 

 of course all covering must be removed as soon as the seedlings begin to bristle 

 through. 



Now as to what should be sown at this season. Let us look first at the kitchen 

 garden. First Lettuces, say Paris and Bath Cos for late autumn use, and at the 

 end of the month Hammersmith to stand the winter. Radish, Spinach, and Turnip 

 are not less important. Prickly Spinach sown in August will really stand the 

 winter ; that sown in September is by no means certain to do so. Those who eat 

 Endive should now sow a good breadth of the small green curled, which is very 

 hardy. Now is the last moment to secure a bit of fine Parslej- for winter use ; 

 sow on a rich soil, and thin to six inches apart when the plants are large enough 

 to handle. Lastly, this is the best time in the year to sow Cabbage, and by good 

 management one sowing in autumn may be made to supply cabbages of several 

 kinds the whole year round, because the larger kinds will yield plenty of sprouts 

 after the hearts are taken. But three sowings of Cabbage should be made : say 

 the last week in July a pinch each of Green Colewort, Cattell's Reliance, and 

 Early Barnes. In the first week of August sow Early York, Vanack, and Atkins's 

 Matchless. Last week in August sow Coleworts again. 



In the flower garden, an immense collection of the finest herbaceous plants may 

 be obtained at almost no expense at all by sowing while the ground is moist with 

 rain. Considering the beauty of many of these things, and the difficulty frequently 

 experienced in obtaining plants in spring, it is a wonder that at this season so few 

 should take the little trouble required to produce them in myriads. 



The following are invahiable for decorative purposes, and at all respectable 

 seed shops seed of them may be had that will be sure to germinate if treated 

 as we advise : — 



Aconitum album, A. Napellus, A. Canariensis. 



Agrostemma Flos Jovis. 



Alyssum saxatile, the best of all the yellow spring flowers. 



Anthyllis vulneriana rubra. 



Antirrhinum of sorts. 



Aquilegia of sorts. 



Arabis alpina, one of the best white-flowering plants in spring. 



Armeria formosa and A. longiaristata. 



Astragalus purpureus. 



Aubrietia deltoidea and A. purpurea, most useful of dwarf flowering plants for 

 spring and summer. 



Campanula grandiflora, C bononiensis, C. lactiflora, C. carpatica, Canterbury 

 Bell. 



Catananche cerulea. 



Delphinium formosum, D. sinensis, and D, giganteum. 



Dianthus atrorubens, D. giganteus, D. Japonicus, D. latifolius. 



Digitalis of sorts. 



Eupatorium corymbosum. 



Hollyhocks in variety. 



Lupinus elegans, L. polyphyllus, and L. magnificum. 



