FLOWERS FOR EVERYBODY'S GARDEN. 87 



in the place they are expected to bloom, very much better results 

 will be achieved by sowing the seed the 1st of April in what a 

 gardener terms a cold frame. This is easily constructed with 

 four boards, say about six feet long, about twelve inches wide, by 

 simply nailing the ends together and making a square frame, 

 though one side should be a little higher so as to give a slope to 

 the cover or roof, enough to readily shed the rain if covered with 

 glass, which is much the best; six inches will be sufficient, but 

 if cloth or canvass is used for covering twelve inches is not too 

 much. 



Place this frame in a warm, sunny place — a southern slope 

 is best — in such position that its highest side will be the north 

 side, so the frame will slope towards the south. Put in about 

 three inches of good, loose soil — a light soil that is not apt to bake 

 or form a crust is much the best — have this firmed down and per- 

 fectly level. Sow your seed in little drills across the frame about 

 four inches apart and sow thinly. If after the plants are up they 

 are crowded, thin out to at least two inches between each plant 

 or transplant. When sowing do not cover the seed more than 

 one-half inch. I should perhaps have stated the soil must be 

 fairly warm before seed is put in and not too wet. This may be 

 easily accomplished by having it exposed to the sun a few days 

 before. Of course it must be sheltered from frosts, cold winds 

 and heavy rains and looked after with water when dry — but do 

 not coddle them or nurse them too tenderly. Give them plenty of 

 air and sun, and when the weather is anywhere near comfortable 

 let them be exposed to the elements, so as to make them sturdy 

 and strong. About the middle of May set them out in their per- 

 manent quarters, or where you want them to bloom. This should 

 be done during cloudy or rainy weather, or otherwise towards 

 evening. Give each plant a good drink of water pretty soon 

 after planting if moved with a clump of soil adhering to the 

 roots, which may easily be done by giving them a good watering 

 a few hours before transplanting if at all dry. 



The Zinnas and Marigolds should be planted fourteen to 

 eighteen inches apart, depending on the soil, the better and richer 

 the soil the more space should be given to each plant. The 

 Phlox should be given about a square foot each. Now if this 

 transplanting is done with some care, and the soil is in fair condi- 

 tion, the plants should not need any watering at all, the natural 

 rain should be moisture enough. For their well being, keep the 



