igo The Canadian Horticulturist. 



makes an excellent invalid's diet, but now largely supplanted by less nutritious 

 Scotch oatmeal, American corn starch and other cheaper preparations. 



Annuals. 



It is now in season to consider the starting of Annuals, as the bulk of our 

 summer flowers are derived from them. Hardy Annuals, such as Nasturtium, 

 Mignonette, Candytuft, Sweet Peas, etc., may be sown in the open ground in 

 April or May ; tender Annuals, requiring protection, should be sown in the 

 greenhouse or hot-bed. We also hear a good deal of a few seeds started in a 

 box in the house ; this appears to me to be a backwoods custom, and handed 

 down since before the time of commercial plant growers. The plants so raised 

 are usually about fit for the same fate as the doctor recommended for the 

 cucumbers, who said : " First pare the cucumbers, then slice them very thin, 

 add salt, vinegar and plenty of pepper, then raise the window and chuck them 

 out." The plants are unhealthy without the proper surroundings to give them 

 a start in life ; it is better to buy plants properly raised. The sowings may, 

 however, be delayed until the ground is warm out-doors, say, the middle of 

 May, in which case they will bloom later. 



Sweet Peas. 



Although an old-fashioned flower, they are again gaining in popular favor. 

 It delights in a cool, moist soil. Sow the seed as early in spring as possible ; 

 the seed will germinate in a low temperature, and make considerable growth in 

 the cool, moist, spring-time. To cater to its proclivity for moisture (in situa- 

 tions where it will allow of it), it is better to plant in a trench a foot deep, 

 covering the seed about an inch and gradually drawing the soil to them as they 

 grow, taking care not to cover the crowns at any time. Potash, in the form of 

 wood ashes, is an excellent fertilizer ; they love plenty of water, and soap suds 

 is a good way to apply it, poured into the trench. It is very necessary to pick 

 off all blossoms, as, if they are allowed to go to seed-pods, the vines will die off 

 early. Some of the best varieties are : Emily Henderson, pure white ; Blanche 

 Ferny, pink and white ; Orange Prince, Painted Lady, Countess of Radnor, 

 mauve ; Monarch, a rich purplish maroon, and a number of others of the large 

 flowering class. Several colors in double Sweet Peas are now sold, but they do 

 not come true from seed, and are rather disappointing. 



Cupid Sweet Peas. 



The unique floral novelty for 1896, the first of a race of dwarf Sweet Peas. 

 We have heard much and seen little of this novelty, as this is the first year it 

 has been offered ; preliminary notices were sent in July last, that this wonder 

 would be simultaneously offered for sale in all parts of the world. It originated 

 as a sport in 1893, with Mr. C. C Morse, of Santa Clara, Cal., who sold the 

 stock to Messrs. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., who have since grown it true from 



