64 SOWING ANNUALS. 



into many stems and flowers, therefore they may 

 be planted sinoly, or not less than six inches apart. 

 The July flowers, or more commordy called gilli- 

 flovvers, become expansive as they increase. They 

 should not be crowded together ; three in a group 

 are quite sufficient, and they should be six inches 

 apart. The same may be siiid of the stock varie- 

 ties. 



I have- ever found the hardy annuals grow finest 

 by allowing them to become self-sown. They 

 flower some weeks earlier, and invariably produce 

 lars^er and brighter flowers. 



When gathering my flower seeds in August and 

 September, I allow one half to remain sprinkled 

 over the borders; and the young plants never foil 

 appearing healthy and strong above ground in 

 March and April, the months appropriated to sow- 

 ing the seed. Thus, my Lavateras, Larkspurs, 

 &c., are in beautiful blow, while the second crop, 

 or seed sown in the spring, are but showing their 

 green heads above the surface. I weed away the 

 superfluous self-sown plants to my taste ; but the 

 birds take care that no one shall be encumbered 

 with superfluity. I have by this means a first and 

 second crop of the same annuals, but the crop of 

 self-sown are 'far superior. They are up before 

 the heats come on to dry the earth, and dwindle 

 the flower. 



Dig the ground well with your trowel, and rake 

 it very fine, before you put in the seeds in spring. 

 Annuals love a light, friable soil. All the hardy 

 kinds may be sown in March, each sort in little 

 separate patches, as follows : — 



Draw a little earth off" the top to one side, then 

 sprinkle in the seed, not too plentifully, and cover 



