INTRODUCTION xv 



own seed, but for those who would do so a few hints 

 will not be out of place. 



The plants have to be carefully watched till the seed 

 is in a fit condition to gather, and should be only taken 

 from the finest flowers. Dry weather is essential for 

 the operation, and September is the best month. 



Put the seed when collected in cardboard boxes and 

 label each one. Keep them open for a time on a sunny 

 shelf, so that they can thoroughly dry, after which they 

 can be put away till required. 



Mulching the surface is an excellent plan for pre- 

 venting or checking the evaporation of moisture from 

 the soil. The worst of it is that it is untidy in appear- 

 ance, unless cocoanut fibre is used, and that is expensive 

 when required in large quantities. It is done by 

 placing round the roots a thick layer of manure, grass 

 mowings, and the like. It should be put on after a 

 copious watering or soaking rain. 



Manure. — If the ground was properly dug, and 

 stable or farmyard manure put in at the proper time, 

 after- manuring is not often necessary. A dusting of 

 "super," as gardeners call superphosphate of lime, in 

 April is sometimes given as a fillip. If this manure is 

 used, care should be taken not to let it touch foliage. 

 A pinch or two round the roots is all that is necessary, 

 to be washed in by the rain. 



Seed-Pods should always as far as possible be picked 

 off. This will prevent the plants from weakening them- 

 selves, and will prolong the flowering season. They 

 cannot imdergo the two operations together success- 

 fully. 



