General Notices. 275 



part are so chary of their beauty, that they scarcely retain their charms for 

 a week. Every shower, too, and every breeze, seems to destroy their at- 

 tractions, and altogether I despair of attaining my object ; yet certain it is, 

 that from annuals I must principally expect my summer display of floral 

 beauty. If you can furnish me with a few hints, and enable me at least to 

 approximate my wishes, I shall be gratified." 



This note, which we give at length, contains the substance of one or 

 two others which have come to hand on a like subject. At a corresponding 

 season we yearly receive similar communications, and as the information 

 required is of general application, we give our reply in such a manner as 

 will, we trust, benefit not only those directly interested, but many of our 

 readers besides. 



Annuals are calculated to effect much in the summer decoration of a 

 flower-garden : their variety is great. In habit, in foliage, in the color of 

 their flowers, they exhibit a great diversity, and from amongst them may be 

 selected such as are suitable for all situations, and to please all tastes. But 

 no plants are, as a general rule, worse treated than annuals. Because they 

 are for the most part easily obtained, and as easily raised, they receive but 

 a scanty amount of attention — certainly not of a nature to develop theif 

 proper character and value. As generally met with, they are weak, strag- 

 gling, and weedy, easily damaged by rain and wind, and generally of but 

 brief duration ; yet if proper attention is afforded them in the several stages 

 of their progress, they become highly effective and useful, both for cultiva- 

 tion in the open borders as well as for pots. Many of the kinds are admi- 

 rably adapted for " massing." 



We shall now only speak of hardy kinds, such as may be sown in the 

 borders where they are to^ flower, or in a reserve garden, and be afterwards 

 removed to their permanent situations. When sown where they are to 

 flower, the prevailing practice is to allow them to remain too thickly, 

 smothering each other in their struggles for light and air, inducing a pre- 

 mature maturity, which of course is followed by their speedy dissolution. 

 As soon as they are fairly above the ground thinning should commence, 

 and be progressively followed up till in the place of fifty or more plants 

 perhaps only five remain. Of course the distance at which it will be neces- 

 sary to leave them will depend on the kinds, and on the richness of the sod. 

 But the best system with the hardy kinds is to sow them in a spare piece of 

 ground, and prick them out as soon as they are large enough, and only 

 removing them to the flower-borders as vacancies may occur, or as they 

 approach their flowering state ; and by thus treating them, a good succes- 

 sion is always attainable — a point of no mean import where they have to be 

 depended on for a principal item in the summer display. 



In sowing them a somewhat poor soil should be chosen, and when of a 

 sufficient size to handle, choose a level spot, which can be shaded during 

 the hottest part of the day, and afl;er thoroughly beating or rolling it, to 

 produce a hard surface, place upon it a layer of compost, chiefly composed 

 of leaf-mould, in which plant the young annuals a few inches apart. With 

 proper attention to watering and protection from insects, their progress will 



