The Culture of Flowers from Seeds 



and beautiful in form that they deserve to take high rank as exhibition 

 flowers. They have so entirely eclipsed the single sorts that even the 

 most enthusiastic lover of single flowers would scarcely venture to 

 institute a comparison between the value of the two for decorative 

 purposes. 



The Zinnia is delicate, and if sown too soon it is more plague 

 than profit. March is quite early enough to commence operations, 

 and the first week in April will be none too late for sowing. A 

 compost that suits Asters will answer admirably for Zinnias. Sow 

 in 4^-inch pots, which should have very free drainage, and cover 

 the seed thinly with fine soil. Plunge the pots at once in a tem- 

 perature of about 60, when the seed will germinate quickly, and the 

 plants on attaining one inch in height can be potted off separately. 

 Place them in a close frame, shade from sunshine, and when well 

 established, gradually give air and harden off. It will not be safe to 

 transfer to the open until the first week in June, unless the position 

 is exceptionally sheltered and the soil very dry. A shrubbery 

 border is a suitable spot, and the more scorching the season the 

 finer will be the flowers. There must, however, be shelter from the 

 wind, for the stems of Zinnias are hollow, and easily damaged by a 

 storm. 



A satisfactory display of this flower may be obtained without the 

 aid of heat by sowing in the open ground about the middle of May. 

 Select a sunny sloping border or bed for sowing, enrich the soil, and 

 make it fine. Press this down rather firmly, then drop three or four 

 seeds at intervals of from fifteen to eighteen inches between each 

 group, and lightly cover them. In due time thin to one plant at each 

 station. If they thrive the branches will not only meet but overlap, 

 and produce a grand display. In the event of very dry weather at 

 sowing time the ground may be watered before the seed is put in, 

 and then be covered with dry fine soil. 



Zinnias do not transplant well, except as small seedlings. When 

 it is necessary to undertake the task, choose, if possible, a showery 

 day, and shade each plant with an inverted flower-pot for a few days j 

 but take off the pots in the evening. 



Zinnias intended for exhibition must be treated in a more 

 generous fashion than plants that are grown for border decoration, 

 or for the sake of yielding cut flowers. The seed may be raised in 

 heat as already directed, but the border will need to be prepared 

 with special care and liberality. Should the soil be heavy, it must be 

 reduced to a friable state during winter. Before the plants are put 



280 



