For April, 1923 



101 



IN APPRECIATION OF ANNUALS 



'X'HE culture of hardy and half-hardy annuals is re- 

 •*■ garded more seriously than in former years ; indeed, 

 few English gardens are now reckoned complete without 

 a liberal Cjuantity of these short-lived plants. Time was 

 when annuals were regarded with more or less contempt, 

 except in the case of swch subjects as x\sters, I'alsams. 

 and the so-called florist's tlowers. Of course, the skilled 

 attention of hybridists and specialists has had much to do 

 with their increased popularity. Who will deny the rapid 

 advance that has been made in the development of annuals 

 during the past decade? \Mien we come to consider the 

 marvellous creations which have been evolved in such 

 races as Clarkia, Larkspur, Candytuft. Godetia. Chiysan- 

 themums. Lupin, and a host of others we cease to wonder 

 at their repute, iiut this is not the only reason why an- 

 nuals have come to be more favorably regarded. The 

 somewhat tardy recognition of their adaptability to the 

 modern and less formal style of gardening will largely 

 account for their present position in the popular taste. 



By judicious and successful sowings in Autunm and 

 Spring it is possible to have a display of annuals from 

 April until far into the Autumn. This alone is a recom- 

 mendation. In the perennial ^border, too, they may be 

 made to serve a useful purpose. By sowing suitable kinds 

 between the permanent occupants, so as to give a show of 

 bloom before or after their associates, one is soon made 

 aware of their utility. In the rockery, also, manv kinds 

 may be introduced for the same purpose. Indeed, sev- 

 eral sorts are seen to the best advantage when growing 

 among stones, while they certainly find a more congenial 

 home when growing- in the bed or border. i\Iany rock 

 gardens are particularly bare at certain seasons of the 

 year, but there is no lack of annuals for providing the 

 continuation of bloom which, will fill these uninterest- 

 ing periods. And .so we have annuals for all purposes. 

 The border in shade is as easy to cater for as the one in 

 full sunshine, while suitable sorts can be found for dry 

 or moist situations. Neither should we overlook the value 

 of annuals for cutting. Many kinds are valuable for cut 

 bloom, and, as everybody knows, the periodical cutting of 

 bloom is really the 'best way to prolong the flowering 

 period. Then, again, we have a wealth of sweetly scented 

 annuals which contribute much to the charm of the garden. 



I suppose the chief reason why annuals were once in 

 disrepute was the lack of attention ^bestowed on their cul- 

 ture. Any sort of cultivation was considered good enough 

 for these short-lived plants. It is now recognized, how- 

 ever, that good culture and generous treatment are worth 

 while in growing annuals. .As a matter of fact, the 

 ground should be prepared for them as thoroughly as it is 

 for perennials. Many annuals under good treatment com- 

 pare quite favorabl>- with some of the choicer kinds of 

 perennials. 



There is one point I would emphasize in regard to 

 growing annuals. As they, are short-lived plants, anv 

 errors of culture or neglect in timely attention cannot be 

 repaired as in the case of perennials. The matter of sow- 

 ing, thinning, and transplanting, the removal of dead 

 flowers, and all the minor details of culture must be sea- 

 sonably and properly performed in order to be successful. 

 To remove the flowers before seed matures is particularly 

 important. The reader is reminded that the function of 

 a plant is to reproduce its species, and after it has attained 

 this object there is no further need for its existence. 

 Therefore by deferring this process for as long a period 

 as possible we are prolonging the life of the plant, and 

 incidentally inciting it to further efforts at flower pro- 

 duction. There is considerable scope for the ibeautifying 

 of gardens hy the employment of annuals, an'i many 

 pleasant surprises are in store for those who are \villing 



to pay for seed of the best strains and who will devote 

 care and patience to raising and growing them. — Garden- 

 iiiif Illiistnitcd. 



GARDENING UNDER GLASS 



'T'llE writer has often heard experienced gardeners re- 

 mark that there is such a variance between out-door 

 and in-door plant culture that a thorough knowledge of 

 one does not supply the necessary knowledge to succeed 

 witii the other, and that both require separate experience 

 and practice. It remained with a well known writer on 

 horticultural subjects. E. E. Rockwell, himself an enthu- 

 siastic gardener, to contend in his book just published, 

 entitled "Gardening Under (ilass," that if you have been 

 successful with your plants and flowers out-doors, you 

 can be successful with them under glass. 



Expert growers, those who grow the wonderful speci- 

 men plants which we see exhibited at the big flower 

 shows, will refute such a statement as being ridiculous, 

 and from their viewpoint they are absolutely correct, for 

 only after years of experience have they acquired the 

 ability to produce such plants. But those who grow 

 merely for the jjleasure they derive from it, are not think- 

 ing of competing with the experts whose equipment is 

 usually different. 



After one reads "Gardening Under Glass," he really 

 feels that all he requires is a greenhouse and all will be 

 easy. One who loves to work among flowers will find 

 this book a most helpful and inspiring guide. True, like 

 the bride with cook book in one hand and kitchen utensils 

 m the other, he is bound to meet with some disappoint- 

 ments in his first efforts, but with a little persev^erance, 

 success will follow his endeavors with the pleasure it 

 brings. 



The book is entertaining as well as instructive. It is 

 not filled with technical phrases that are foreign to the 

 layman but it is worded in language so understandable 

 that one feels it is all so simple that he at least cannot fail 

 to have a lot of fine plants equal to those of the more 

 experienced gardener. It is a volume full of inspiration 

 and encouragement. 



Mr. Rockwell covers every subject that enters into 

 "glass gardening" from the "fascinating art of soil build- 

 ing'' to growing- fruits in pots twelve months of the year. 

 \'entilating, heating, watering, plant foods, plant enemies 

 and their control all receive careful consideration, assur- 

 ing the reader that there is nothing to worry about when 

 once he knows how. 



The chapters on how to grow flowers for cutting, 

 flowering and foliage plants, bulbs, fruits and vegetables 

 under glass, are so instructive as to make the book in- 

 valuable to any one owning a greenhouse or contemplat- 

 ing having one. There are chapters devoted to what can 

 be accomplished the year round ; chapters on all kinds of 

 greenhouses and what can be grown therein. The illus- 

 trations are many and show glass gardens that are within 

 the reach of those of moderate means as well as houses 

 more elaborate to conform to any style of architecture. 

 They also show how much and how varied a collection 

 can be grown in a small house by any one so fortunately 

 equipped. 



The writer advises anyone who has desired a green- 

 liouse, but who has hesitated for fear that he would not 

 know what to do with it after he owned it, to read the 

 book, "Gardening Under Glass.'' Then he will no longer 

 hesitate. Practical gardeners who would welcome sug- 

 gestions to guide them in their greenhouse work the year 

 round will find this book a most helpful aid. It costs 

 .$3.50 and may be attained through the Gardeners' 

 Chronicle. 



