ANNUAL FLOWERING PLANTS 83 



THE MARIGOLD 



Marigolds are classed as African and French. The 

 African varieties produce large, self-colored blossoms 

 and are very effective in large beds or borders. The 

 French have smaller flowers, and some of the varieties 

 are beautifully striped. In beds the dwarf varieties make 

 a fine border for the taller sorts. They are all very 

 hardy and light the garden with a glory of yellow 

 far into the frosts of autumn. Plants grown in boxes 

 may be used to replace the earliest vegetables, such as 

 the radish or spinach, in the kitchen garden, or they 

 may be planted in tulip beds after the tulips have died 

 down. Take up the tulip bulbs and store in a dry place 

 for fall planting. 



Sowing in boxes. Sow the seeds in boxes, in any 

 kind of good soil. Cover to a depth of two or three 

 times their own thickness by sifting on soil. Water 

 thoroughly with a sprinkler and keep the box covered 

 with a pane of glass until the plants come up. Place 

 the box as near the window as possible and give the 

 plants plenty of air. Transplant to other boxes, spacing 

 them two inches apart each way. The soil may be some- 

 what coarse. 



Planting. Plants may be set out whenever the soil is 

 ready, from May to July. Those from two inches to a 

 foot or more in height may be transplanted. Keep them 

 one foot apart each way and water them thoroughly 

 when they are planted. 



