132 On the Cultivation of Annuals. 



A few hints In regard to taking up the tuhers, and their preserva- 

 tion through the winter, I will communicate hereafter. 



Yours, E. Putnam. 



Saletn, March lOth, 1835. 



Art, VI. Observations on the Cultivation of Annuals ; with an 

 Account of those choice and beautiful of late Introduction ; and 

 Remarks on the Varieties most suitable for planting in Masses. 

 By the Conductors. 



Mimosa sensitiva (Sensitive plant). This delicate and very cu- 

 rious plant is easily cultivated. The seeds should be sown in pots 

 of light, rich soil, and placed in the hot-bed. When the young 

 plants have made three or four leaves, they shoujd be potted sepa- 

 rately into small pots, and replaced in the hot-bed, or green-house, 

 until May, when they may be turned out in the open ground in the 

 flower border, or retained in the pots. We prefer keeping the 

 plants in pots, as the heavy rains, which we often have during 

 summer, injure them, and prevent their showing that sensibility 

 for which they are so much admired. Their graceful foliage appears 

 to much better advantage in pots than in the border. 



Verbena Aubletia. This beautiful annual is at present rather 

 rare, and in few gardens. It ripens very little seed when grown as 

 an annual, and will consequently not become so common as some 

 varieties. We had several fine plants last season, which flowered 

 in profusion until checked by frost. The seeds were sown in the 

 hot-bed, and the plants removed while in the seed leaf, into small 

 pots, filled with a compost of equal parts loam and leaf mould, with 

 a little sand. They were shifted into larger pots when required, 

 and some of the plants we turned into the border about the first of 

 June, where they flowered abundantly. 



Petunia nijctaginifora (White flowered Petunia). This elegant 

 annual has not yet Ijecome very common ; but its great beauty en- 

 titles it to a place in every flower garden. We have seen plants 

 completely covered with its snow-white and fragrant flowers. It is 

 sometimes called Sivcct scented Tobacco. It was formerly arranged 

 under the genus Nicotiana, from which, probably, the name arose. 

 The seeds should be sown in a pot, and placed in the hot-bed, and 

 shaded for several days. They should be slightly covered with soil, 

 as they are very small, and would be apt to rot if they were planted 

 deep. When the young seedlings have made three or four leaves, 

 plant them singly in small pots, and place them in the hot-bed, until 

 warm weather. The plants should then, except such as are intend- 



