chap, rni.] A NNUA LS, 215 



over them ; and this practice is useful in keep- 

 ing the seeds moist by preventing evaporation, 

 while the hole in the bottom of the pot admits 

 enough light and air for o-ermination. The 

 flower-pot should, however, be removed as soon 

 as the young plants appear above ground ; as, 

 if kept on longer, the plants would be drawn 

 up, and their stems would become so elongated, 

 and consequently so weak, that they would 

 never recover their strength or beauty. Flower- 

 ing plants should always be kept dwarf and 

 compact ; not only on account of the superior 

 neatness of their appearance, but because tall 

 ill-grown plants never produce fine flowers. 

 For this reason, as soon as annuals attain their 

 second pair of leaves, they should be thinned 

 out ; and again, when about a foot high, if ne- 

 cessary. As the plants grow they should be 

 watered occasionally ; and when of a proper 

 heioht staked and tied up, if of a kind to re- 

 quire support. As soon as the flowers fade they 

 should be cut off; unless, as is sometimes the 

 case, the plant has very ornamental seed pods, 

 when they may be left on. It is seldom worth 

 while for any lady to save her own seed ; but, 

 when she does so, the plants for that purpose 

 should be grown in a back garden or reserve- 

 ground, as they greatly disfioure a flower-o-arden. 

 All annuals, indeed, should be taken up, and 

 carried to the refuse heap as soon as they cease 

 to be ornamental; as, in their withered state, 

 they only call up unpleasant images in the 

 mind. 



Tender annuals are raised on a hotbed, and, 

 though generally sown in February, are not 



