THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. HI 



promote a firm, stocky growth. When the seedlings are about two 

 inches high, preparations must be made for putting them in pots or in 

 boxes ; and unless they can be placed where they will enjoy the 

 temperature similar to that of the frames, after they have been 

 removed from the seed-pans, the best course will be to remove to a 

 cold frame, and in a week or ten days afterwards commence to pot 

 off. If, on the other hand, they can be kept in a warm pit or house 

 for a fortnight, it will be more advantageous to transplant, and defer 

 the removal to the cold pit until they have become re-established; 

 but it will not do to allow them to remain in the warm frame until 

 they are removed from the seed-pan, and then place them in a 

 cold pit, as the two changes at the same time would be too much of 

 a check for them. They can be put singly in small pots, or several 

 together in boxes. Those in boxes should be from two to three 

 inches apart each way ; and if the space can be afforded, they should 

 be allowed three inches each way. They must be kept rather close 

 and shaded until sufficiently established to bear full exposure to the 

 sunshine, and a free circulation of air without flagging, and they 

 may then be gradually hardened off; but there need be no hurry in 

 doing this, as a fortnight's exposure, in the day, to the weather, 

 with protection from night frosts, will suffice to prepare them for 

 planting in the beds towards the end of May. 



The following are the most valuable of the annuals adapted for 

 bedding purposes : — 



Ageratum. — Of these, the best for beds is A. Imperial Dwarf, 

 which is one of the finest light blue bedding plants we have ; and 

 the bestfor back rows is A. Mexicanum, which, although good in ita 

 way, is less compact than the former. 



Amarantlius. — The finest for bedding is A. melancholicus ruber, 

 which is one of the finest dark-leaved bedders in cultivation, as it 

 forms dense masses of foliage of a rich port-wine colour, and may 

 be kept to any desired height by pinching. 



A. tricolor varies so much in colour and character as to render 

 it suitable only for mixed borders. 



Convolvulus. — The pretty C. minor is useful for beds, and also 

 for forming large masses in borders. All the varieties are pretty, 

 but the most decisive in colour are C. unicaulis, purple, and G. sub- 

 casrulens, light blue. Sow three seeds in each five-inch pot, and plant 

 out without disturbing the plants. As these flowers turn to the 

 light, they are seen to advantage when growing on the north side of 

 the dwelling-house. 



Gillardia. — These produce large showy flowers, and have a very 

 effective appearance. G. pi eta, scarlet and yellow; G. hyhrida gran- 

 dijlora, red and yellow; and G. coccinea, scarlet, are all suitable. 



Golden Feather. — This well-known yellow-leaved plant is still 

 one of the best for marginal bands and divisional lines. It should 

 be pricked oft' into boxes, and planted out thickly. 



Jacohccas. — These are better known as American groundsels. 

 They are very compact, and bloom freely throughout the season. 

 The crimson, imrple, and rose are the most effective colours. 



Lobelias. — These well-known and effective bedders can be readily 



