i879-] MARIGOLDS. 169 



fr<» n the flower-loving portion of the community who visit gardens, 

 I have therefore thought that a note on their culture would not 

 be wholly out of place. 



And first as to raising the plants : I sow about the middle of 

 April in a cold frame in which a bed of soil is prepared, and the 

 seeds are thrown broadcast over the surface thereof, and merely 

 pressed firmly in without further covering of soil. The sashes 

 are kept closed, and covered with mats until the seeds have ger- 

 minated. The mats are made use of thus to secure partial darkness 

 to the seeds, and also to preserve a uniform amount of moisture in 

 the soil without having to apply water. When the young seedlings 

 appear both light and air are freely admitted, and when weather 

 permits the sashes are entirely dispensed with. The seed is sown 

 very thinly, and the soil is of a light and rich nature ; so that, while 

 it is not necessary to prick out the seedlings before transplanting 

 them into their " blooming " quarters, the nature of the soil allows 

 for this being done without destroying the roots of the plants, and 

 consequently without their receiving a check from the operation. 

 When slugs abound, larger plants than these thus grown might be 

 found to do better, as slugs have a great liking to young Marigolds. 

 Sowing a little earlier and keeping the plants warmer would be 

 necessary in such cases, but otherwise small plants grown without 

 a check are most satisfactory. Growers for exhibition commonly 

 plant in beds. I find them do equally well either in lines amongst 

 other plants or planted singly in mixed borders. Whichever plan is 

 chosen, a rich well-cultivated soil is necessary to have them fine. 

 Each plant, if well grown and space allowed, will make a bush three 

 or four feet through towards the end of the season. It is well to 

 remember that allowing them plenty of space for growth secures 

 quite as many flowers as if, say, double the number were grown ; 

 whilst those plants having the most room for head-growth produce 

 the finest blooms. If the weather is dry when the plants are put 

 out, one good watering is given, some dry soil being thereafter drawn 

 over the surface as a check to evaporation. Small plants may also 

 have their roots drawn through a mixture of water and soil — mud, 

 in fact. This is found very beneficial in extra hot weather. Except 

 when first planted out, our plants are never watered. Where autumn 

 winds are destructive, it wiil be necessary to take the precaution of 

 securing the plants by one or more stakes, otherwise no supports 

 are required. The only other points to be attended to are the removal 

 of the flowers when " over," and securing a sufficient number of the 

 best flowers for seed. African Marigolds are further benefited by hav- 

 ing the flower-buds thinned out. The flowers cut for seed should be 



