The Culture of Flowers from Seeds 



the germs will certainly suffer injury. The number of seeds sown 

 should be recorded, so that it may be known when all are up. The 

 first sowing should be made in January, in a temperature of about 75, 

 and as fast as the seedlings become ready transfer singly to small 

 pots. As Cannas are gross feeders they must have a rich, porous 

 compost, and an occasional dose of liquid manure will prove bene- 

 ficial, especially when the pots are full of roots. If the seedlings 

 from the January sowing are regularly potted on and properly man- 

 aged they will begin to flower in June or July. The plants may 

 either be turned out into a rich soil, or the pots can be plunged, and 

 after flowering in the open until late in autumn they can be lifted for 

 another display of bloom in the greenhouse. In warm districts and 

 in dry, sheltered situations, the roots may be left in the open ground 

 all the winter under a covering of ashes ; but they must be lifted from 

 a damp, cold soil, and stored in a frame during the winter months. 

 We have only mentioned January as the month for sowing, but seed 

 may be put in up to Midsummer, or even later, following the routine 

 already indicated. 



CARNATION 



Dianthus Caryophyllus fl. pi. Hardy perennial 



CARNATIONS make a most satisfactory return when grown from 

 first-class seeds, and the saving of trouble is very great. The pro- 

 verb that what is worth doing is worth doing well is peculiarly 

 exemplified in the cultivation of these bright and fragrant flowers, 

 the difference between the results of good and bad work being 

 immense. We therefore advise the preparation of a compost con- 

 sisting of about three parts of turfy loam, to one part each of cow- 

 manure and sweet leaf-mould, with a small addition of fine grit. A 

 compost that has been laid up for a year, according to the orthodox 

 practice of florists, is very much to be desired ; but it may be 

 prepared off-hand if care be taken to have all the materials in a 

 sweet, friable state, free from pastiness, and as far as possible free from 

 vermin. By laying it in a heap, and turning two or three times, the 

 vermin will be pretty well got rid of. Sow from April until August 

 in 4^-inch pots, which must be thoroughly drained. The seed 

 must be very lightly covered, and sheets of glass should be laid over 

 to check evaporation. Place the pots in a closed frame, or if the 

 season be genial a sheltered border will suffice. Immediately the 



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