44 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
much the same manner as those intended for exhibition, to prevent 
the wind injuring them. 
Associated with cannas, dahlias, phloxes, roses, and hollyhocks, 
they produce a magnificent display during the greater part of August 
and September. The end of March and the middle of April, are the 
best times for planting for garden decoration. 
Those planted in tbe borders in the pleasure-grounds, ought not 
to be cut from for indoor decorations, as it cannot be done without 
causing blanks in the border, which, it need hardly be said, are most 
undesirable. When a supply of spikes for cutting is required, it is 
a very excellent plan to lay out a bed, of a convenient size, in the 
kitchen garden, and plant it with the cheap kinds; the bulbs to be 
nine inches apart in rows twelve inches from each other. This will 
afford them ample room, as large spikes are not required. 
SEEDLING PETONIAS. 
BY JOHN WALSH. 
=$79)'l' is perhaps not known to many readers of the Froran 
Wortp that seedling petunias are so good in quality 
when the seed has been saved from a fine strain of 
flowers, that the propagation of a stock by means of 
cuttings is quite unnecessary, unless a certain number 
of any particular colour is required. The importance of this fact 
cannot be fully appreciated excepting by those who have but scanty 
accommodation for wintering bedding-plants; for instead of having 
to occupy during November and the three following months, space 
in the greenhouse or pits with cuttings struck in the autumn, the 
room can be devoted to other subjects; and a pinch of petunia seed 
sown in February, will yield a stock sufficient for bedding and pot- 
culture. Another advantage in raising seedlings consists in the 
greater variety of the colours obtained, and the more vigorous habit 
of the plants. They will all differ more or less in colour, and, planted 
indiscriminately, form most attractive beds. 
To procure seed saved from a good strain, or from named flowers, 
is of the first importance; and it is well readers should be familiar 
with the fact that there is plenty of bad, as well as good seed, in the 
trade ; and moreover, that seed offered at a few pence per packet 
will produce seedlings bearing flowers indifferent alike in quality 
and colour. The best mixed seed, costing from one shilling to 
eighteen-pence per packet, should be procured, and then flowers of 
the finest quality may be confidently anticipated. 
To afford a sufficiently long period for the production of bushy 
plants by the time they will be required for filling the flower-beds, 
the seed must be sown some time in February. Prepare the seed- 
pans by placing a layer of crocks in the bottom, and then filling 
them with a light sandy mixture. Make the surface perfectly level, 
sprinkle with water, and sow the seed, which should be lightly 
