Flowers all the Year Round 



These flowers are worth better treatment than they sometimes 

 receive. They may be sown at once where they are intended to 

 bloom, and for the varieties preceded by an asterisk this method is 

 a necessity, because they do not well bear transplanting. For the 

 majority, however, the transplanting system is an advantage. A 

 comparatively small space has to be prepared as a seed-bed, and 

 more care can be devoted -to it than is always possible over a larger 

 area. In every case sow thinly, and afterwards thin boldly, for many 

 of the flowers named will occupy a space of one or even two feet 

 if the soil is in a condition to do them justice. Give the ground 

 a deep digging and incorporate plenty of manure, except where 

 Nasturtium or Tropaeolum is to be planted. A rather poor soil is 

 necessary for these annuals, or the flowers will be hidden by excessive 

 foliage. 



Abutilon. There is yet time to raise plants for blooming in the 

 current year. The seedlings must be potted on regularly to render 

 them robust and free-flowering. 



Aquilegia sown in the early part of this month in a frame will 

 produce plants which may flower later in the year, provided the 

 season is favourable ; but they will certainly pay for this early sowing 

 in the succeeding spring. The plant is quite hardy, therefore seed 

 may be sown later on in the open for a display in the following year. 



Aster. Only those who are closely acquainted with the modern 

 development of this handsome flower can have any conception of 

 its varied forms and colours. There are dwarf, medium, and tall 

 varieties, in almost endless diversity, and nearly all of them will be 

 a credit to any garden if well grown. Too often, however, flowers 

 are seen which are a mere caricature of what Asters may become 

 in the hands of men who understand their requirements. To grow 

 them to perfection the ground should be trenched in the previous 

 autumn, where the soil is deep enough to justify the operation. If 

 not, the digging must be deep, and plenty of decayed manure should 

 be worked in. Leave the ground roughly exposed to the disintegrating 

 effects of winter frosts ; and in spring it should be lightly forked over 

 once or twice to produce a friable condition, in which the roots will 

 ramify freely and go down to the buried manure for stimulating food. 

 If by such means stiff land can be made mellow, it will grow Asters 

 of magnificent size and colour. 



In sowing it is not wise to rely on a single effort. We advise 

 at least two sowings ; and three are better, even if only a few 

 plants are wanted. This diminishes the risk of failure and prolongs- 



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