48 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



which burst the hurs or capsules, or by rains and winds blowing 

 and washing them out. ' The tramping of feet, washing of rains or 

 falling of foliage, gives them a slight covering where many of 

 them vegetate. The gardener assists nature in this particular by 

 covering all the seeds, but is also instructed by her as to the kind 

 and depth of covering. As well m.ight small seeds which push 

 out a tiny shoot, in search of light and air, be scattered to the 

 winds as buried six inches beneath the soil. With few exceptions, 

 the smaller the seeds, the nearer the surface should they be depos- 

 ited, from one-half inch to an inch in depth ; if the season is wet, 

 one-fourth to one-half inch is deep enough for the smaller seeds. 

 The ground should be rich, well drained, and finely plowed or 

 dug at least one foet in depth. 



Annuals, or flowers which, sown in Spring, bloom ^vnd perfect 



SEEDS THE SAME SEASON, DYING OUT IN THE FaLL. 



Ageratum Mexicanum is a good massing, or border plant, one 

 foot high, hardy, blue flowers, though small, but in bloom until 

 frost. Sow about the middle of May, in a finely prepared border. 



Sweet Alyssum is also a constant bloomer, six to twelve inches 

 high, quite fragrant, white, and good for edging. This is a hardy 

 plant ; some varieties are perennial. 



Asters should be included in the smallest collection. The 

 newer French and German sorts of double, quilled, peony and 

 chrysanthemum flowered asters are such improvements on the old 

 single " China oysters " of our grandmothers as to bear no com- 

 parison with them. They are of all heights, from the dwarf of 

 six to eight inches, to Truifant's Perfection of two feet, and of 

 almost every shade of color ; sometimes distinct, at others blended 

 and intermixed in the same flower. They are autumn flowering, 

 of easy culture, and very attractive. Sow early in May. 



Balsams are also very pretty, especially the double rose flow- 

 ered. Require good soil and culture to attain perfection, and 

 then flower during most of the season, bear careful transplanting 

 well. They sport a variety of colors, and grow from six inches 

 to two feet high. The double sorts are liable to show single 

 flowers on poor soil. 



CalUopsis, or Goreopsis.-^ThQ several varieties of dwarf and 

 tall growing sorts are quite pretty, the dwarf 8 to 10 inches high, 

 the others li to 2 feet. They are of the various shades, from 

 bright yellow to orange and brown, and are well adapted to mas- 

 sing or planting thickly in separate beds, early in Maj^ 



