Zinnia. Spring Flowers from Seeds 



in, raise the land into ridges about four or five inches high. Plant 

 on the top of the ridge, and then an application of soot or lime (not 

 too near to inflict injury) may be used as a precaution against slugs. 

 In a wet season the plants will stand a better chance than if put on 

 the flat, and if a scorching summer comes they will be none the 

 worse for^it. As the flowering time approaches mulch the ground 

 with well-decayed manure. 



The plants must be carefully staked and tied out. It is not 

 merely necessary to secure the main stem, but the branches should 

 also be supported, or when weighted with flowers they will be very 

 liable to give way under a moderate wind. Superfluous branches 

 may be removed, but not so severely as to start new growth to the 

 detriment of the flowers. Disbudding also will have to be practised 

 for the highest class of flowers. Only one bloom should be allowed 

 to develop on each branch at a time, and this must be protected 

 from sun and rain after it is about half grown. 



SPRING FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



SPRING flowers in English gardens are increasing in popularity, and 

 they deserve to be still more extensively grown. It may, perhaps, 

 promote economy in the production of these brilliant and charming 

 displays if we offer a few remarks on the employment of spring- 

 flowering plants which can easily be raised for the purpose from 

 seeds. It will, of course, occur to the reader that a considerable 

 proportion of the annuals that are usually sown in autumn are par- 

 ticularly adapted for producing rich and varied displays in spring. 

 A type of this class is found in the well-known Erysimum Perow- 

 skianum, one of the cheapest, hardiest, and most resplendent plants 

 of the kind, cheap enough for the humblest amateur to employ freely 

 in his borders and beds, and at the same time so effective in its 

 colouring as to be adapted for the most complex and highly finished 

 examples of geometric work. Amongst the annuals are many valu- 

 able flowers such as, for example, Erysimum arkansanum, a lighter 

 tone of yellow than the species just named ; Nemophila insignis, well 

 known for its lovely blue flowers, and the white variety, alba, of the 

 same ; Saponaria calabrica, exquisite rosy pink, and the white variety, 

 alba, of the same ; Silene pendula, lively rose, and its dwarf variety, 

 compacta, and white variety, alba ; Virginian Stock, of which the 



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