Flowers all the Year Round 



half-hardy annual, and the best strains will produce a good propor- 

 tion of double flowers. Either in this month or early in March sow 

 in a warm house or pit. When the seedlings are large enough, 

 transfer to single pots, and thoroughly harden them in readiness for 

 removal to the open ground in May. With very little trouble and 

 expense, it is easy to raise a large stock of this fine border flower 

 from seed. 



Dahlia, Single. After many years of neglect, the Single Dahlia 

 almost suddenly attained to great popularity, mainly through the 

 improvement it has undergone in the hands of a few able growers. 

 The demand for it is easily met by raising large numbers from seed, 

 and this mode of growing Single Dahlias will naturally increase, 

 because of the small cost of seedlings, especially as a good strain 

 produces excellent flowers. A sowing in this month will supply 

 plants sufficiently forward to bloom at the usual time. Some 

 growers begin in January, and provided they have room and the 

 work can be followed up without risking a check at any stage, no 

 objection can be raised to the practice. For most gardens, however, 

 February is safer, and March will not be too late. Sow thinly in pots 

 or pans filled with light rich soil, and finish with a very thin covering 

 of fine leaf-mould. When the seedlings are about an inch high, 

 pot them separately, taking special care of the weakly specimens, for 

 these in point of colour may prove to be the gems of the collection. 

 After transplanting, a little extra attention will help them to a fresh 

 start. 



Dianthus. All the varieties may be raised in about 55 or 60 

 of heat, but immediately the seed has germinated it is important to 

 put the pots in a lower temperature, or the seedlings will become 

 soft. They should also be transferred to seed-pans when large 

 enough to handle. 



Ferraria, or Tigridia. On a dry border these bulbs will pass 

 the winter safely, but in wet land it will be perilous to leave them 

 out, and pot culture under the shelter of a frame will as a rule be 

 necessary. Still, as the border flowers are finer than those grown in 

 pots, they should, if possible, be planted out in February. Sandy 

 loam and peat suit them admirably. 



Fuchsia. It is not generally known that Fuchsias can be satis- 

 factorily flowered from seed in six or seven months, and from a good 

 strain there will be seedlings well worth growing. Sow thinly on 

 a close soil, and give the pots a temperature of about 70. While 

 quite small transfer the plants to the edges of well-drained pots, and 



332 



