ANNUAL FLOWERS. 



'T is the object of this paper to give a 

 few hints on the cultivation of annual 

 flowers, especially to those who are 

 •^ not much accustomed to grow them. 

 We, as farmers, do not pay enough atten- 

 tion to the cultivation of flowers and beau- 

 tifying our homes. We are apt to get into 

 the narrow rut of growing only what can be 

 sold or eaten. We do not therefore enjoy 

 rural life to the full 

 extent of our privi- 

 leges. You say the 

 farmer has no time 

 to grow flowers ; you 

 forget that he takes 

 time to grow any- 

 thing he specially de- 

 sires, and that the 

 most successful farm- 

 ers are those who have the most to do ; they 

 are also the ones that usually grow the most 

 flowers. 



More attention has recently been devoted 

 to annual flowers, and many improved kinds 

 are being introduced every year. In select- 

 ing varieties you must choose those best 

 suited to your special location and require- 

 ments. Perhaps the most important con- 



FiG. 1809. Aster. 



sideration is to select the kinds you love 

 most. To be successful in the cultivation 

 of flowers, you must have a love for them. 

 It is best not to grow too many kinds at 

 first. It is wonderful how our love for them 

 wrll grow when we begin their culture. In 

 the following notes I will refer to some of 

 the most common and easily grown sorts, 

 giving such hints as may be helpful to the 

 beginner. If we want early flowers, it is 

 best to start a part of our seeds in boxes in 

 the house. For this purpose I make boxes 

 any convenient length and width desired, 

 usually about twelve by twenty inches and 

 four inches deep, leaving cracks in the bot- 

 tom for thorough drainage. Fill the box 

 about two and a half inches deep with good 

 fine rich soil. Any good garden soil will 

 answer, but a compost of well rotted cow 

 manure and sods is best. If the soil is of a 

 heavy or sticky texture, mix in one-third 

 sharp plastering sand ; this should be put 

 through a coarse sieve, using the coarse ma- 

 terial that will not go through the sieve in 

 the bottom of the box and fine soil on top, 

 in which to plant the seeds. After leveling 

 the soil in the box, take a brick and firm it 

 down a little. Take a piece of lath a half 



