The Culture of Flowers from Seeds 



grow it under the old system, and the consequent gain to society is 

 immense. 



What has been done with the Cineraria has its parallel in quite a 

 number of the most elegant decorative flowers. Brilliant results have 

 been achieved with Begonias, Cyclamens, Gloxinias, and Primulas. 

 It has also ceased to be needful to keep such large stocks of bedding 

 and other plants through the winter, for Ageratums, Lobelias, and 

 Pansies have proved amenable to the new treatment, and very much 

 of the accustomed labour in striking and potting cuttings, as well 

 as the expense of glass, fuel, and the frequent purchase of high- 

 priced plants, have been rendered unnecessary. Even among the 

 flowers which are properly designated annuals new and delightful 

 variations have been obtained from original types. Of these we have 

 examples in Aster, Mignonette, Phlox Drummondii, Poppy, Stock, 

 and Sweet Pea. In some instances the increase in the size of the 

 flowers is remarkable, and in others the development of new tints 

 will surprise those who are not familiar with the labours of modern 

 hybridisers. 



Thus a revolution has been accomplished in the economy and com- 

 plexion of the English Flower Garden, a revolution which has reduced 

 and simplified the gardener's labours, augmented the number and 

 enhanced the beauty of many flowers, effected a marked saving in the 

 cost of garden pleasures, and brought the culture of a large number of 

 the most attractive subjects within the means of those who had neither 

 the facilities nor the knowledge requisite for pursuing the florist's 

 methods. There appear to be no limits to further progress. All that 

 we can do is to experiment and gather knowledge, and those who 

 love gardening may assist in extending the area of this new and 

 cheap system of producing some of the most elegant garden flowers 

 in one season from seed alone. 



The time and the method of sowing flower seeds must in each case 

 be regulated by considerations as to their nature. Seeds of tende 

 plants are usually sown in pots or pans and placed on a moderate 

 hot-bed or in a propagating house early in spring, and in this case 

 the plants have greenhouse cultivation until the time arrives for 

 hardening them off preparatory to final planting. But seeds of many 

 hardy flowers may be treated in the same way, when a long season of 

 growth is necessary for their development. Thus Phloxes, Verbenas, 

 and Hollyhocks, plants that differ immensely in habit and con- 

 stitution, may all be sown in February, and put side by side in the 

 same warm pit or vinery, or even in the warmest corner of any 



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