The Culture of Flowers from Seeds 



The Auricula is a slow-growing plant, and although there will 

 probably be some flowers from seedlings in the second year, their 

 value must not be judged until the following season. To the trained 

 eye of the florist the Show Auriculas take precedence over the Alpine 

 section ; but for general usefulness the Alpines hold the first place. 

 They may be fearlessly put into the open border, and especially the 

 north border, where, with scarcely any care at all, they will endure 

 the winter, and freely show their lovely flowers in spring. 



BALSAM 



Impatiens Balsatnina. Half-hardy annual 



BALSAMS were seldom well grown until a few years ago. The older 

 works on floriculture prescribed a false system, comprising disbudding, 

 stopping, and other interferences with the natural growth of the 

 plant. But after an observant writer, who had grown these flowers 

 in various ways, made the declaration that there was only one way 

 worth attention, that being the natural way, the present method 

 prevailed, and we are now accustomed to see in gardens abundance 

 of beautiful Balsams. The rule of pinching back the leader to 

 promote the growth of side shoots, and removing the flower buds 

 to increase the size of the plants, was altogether vicious, because the 

 natural growth is more elegant and effective, and the finest flowers 

 are produced on the main stem, and by disbudding these are 

 completely sacrificed. 



It is desirable to make two or three sowings of Balsam, say from 

 the middle of March to the middle of May, the earlier sowings to be 

 put on a sweet hot-bed, although March sowings will soon germinate 

 in a frame, and the May sowing may be made in the open ground on 

 a prepared bed. The soil at every stage should be rich and light, 

 but not rank in any degree. The plants should be pricked out 

 from the seed-pans when they show their first rough leaves, and soon 

 after should be shifted to encourage a stout dwarf habit. A sunny 

 position should be chosen for the bed, in which they may be planted 

 out about the first week of June, or earlier if the weather is 

 particularly favourable. Heat, moisture, and a strong light favour a 

 fine bloom, and, therefore, water must be given whenever dry 

 weather prevails for any length of time. If kept sturdy while 

 under glass, they will need no support of any kind, and although 

 they are peculiarly fleshy in texture, it is seldom they are injured, 



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