On the Cultivation of Annuals. 179 



humble but interesting occupant of a sliady border, or rock-work, 

 witii the " Linncea borealis'^ and " Mitchclla repens,'' wliich it re- 

 sembles so much in general habits. It is one of the earhest floral 

 harbinoers of spring, and would find a welcome in any good collec- 

 tion of native plants. I could wish that some one might improve 

 this hint. R. 



Piilshurg, Pa., April, 1835. 



Art. IX. 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 3Iasses. 

 By the Conductors. 



In our last we detailed the method of cultivating several of the 

 most beautiful tender annuals ; but as the season has now so far 

 advanced, we omit the particular mention of any more varieties in 

 that class. We were particular to select such as were the most dif- 

 ficult of cultivation, and if our directions were attended to, we are 

 confident there will not have been a failure. Most tender annuals 

 will succeed very well if planted in May, when the weather is fine, 

 but their bloom will not be either so beautiful, or of so long duration, 

 as if planted earlier in the hot-bed. We proceed now to enumerate 

 some of those of the second and third class. It would be impossible, 

 in the short space we are allowed in this article, to particularize but 

 a few ; we shall consequently select the newest and most showy. 

 Some of the varieties have never been grown in this country, and 

 we have had recourse to some of the English periodicals for general 

 information. 



Half-hardy and Hardy Annuals. These should be sown in 

 the open border ; the former not until the middle of this month, un- 

 less the weather is very fine and favorable. The latter may be 

 sown immediately, and will generally vegetate without much care. 



Eschscholtzia californica. This brilliant annual, (and peren- 

 nial,) is a native of California, on the North-West Coast, and was 

 introduced into England by Mr. David Douglass, the London Horti- 

 cultural Society's Botanist, in 1826. Its native habitat is on light 

 dry, sandy soil, where it flowers in the greatest beauty all the year. 

 The seeds should be sown, if possible, the latter part of April ; but 

 early in May will answer. A warm dry spot, on a light sandy soil, 

 should be selected, and the seeds sown where the plants are intend- 

 ed to remain ; as all the Papaveracea? family are very im))atient of 

 transplanting ; their spindle, carrot shaped roots, witliout any small 

 fibres, preventing their safe removal ; we have known plants so much 

 injured as not to attain to a flowering state, until the weather was too 



