March 



flowers of the double class. Sow in March and April, and commence 

 thinning the seedlings while they are small. They should ultimately 

 be left about one foot apart. 



Schizanthus. An elegant class of half-hardy annuals, which 

 can be grown as specimens for the conservatory, or in quantity for 

 open borders. Sow in gentle heat, and pot on the seedlings. 



Solanum. For a succession of the varieties which are grown 

 for their berries, sow again in heat, and make a sowing of the 

 ornamental-foliaged kinds for sub-tropical gardening. The latter are 

 rather more tender, and need a somewhat higher temperature than 

 the former. They must all have liberal culture to bring out their 

 fine qualities. 



Stock, Ten-week. Within the past few years Annual Stocks 

 have obtained a marked increase of favour. In part, this is no doubt 

 attributable to the growing appreciation manifested for all kinds 

 of flowers. But it is traceable in a still greater measure to the 

 augmented purity, brilliance, and variety in colour of modern Ten- 

 week Stocks, as well as to the enhanced reliability of seed in pro- 

 ducing double flowers. We need say nothing of its perfume, for 

 this is a quality which the most unobservant can scarcely fail to notice 



Although the Ten-week Stock is half-hardy, it must not receive 

 the treatment of a tender annual ; indeed, one of the most important 

 points in growing it is to avoid any excess of artificial heat. A little 

 assistance at the commencement it must have ; but the aim should 

 be to impart a hardy constitution from the moment the seedlings 

 appear. We are not advocating reckless exposure to chill blasts, 

 but the necessity of giving air freely whenever there may be a fair 

 opportunity. The best of seed-beds can be made in pans or shallow 

 boxes filled with sweet, sandy soil. In these sow thinly, so that the 

 young plants may have abundant room. Even a little apparent 

 wastefulness of space will be repaid by stout and vigorous growth. 

 From the middle to the end of the month is a suitable time for 

 sowing. 



Sweet Pea. This flower is so much in demand for decorative 

 purposes that a prolonged display should be secured by successive 

 sowings, commencing in this month and continuing until May, or 

 even to June, where the soil and circumstances are specially favour- 

 able. The value of groups of Sweet Peas in borders and for 

 enlivening shrubberies is now thoroughly appreciated, and it is not 

 uncommon to see fine clumps among the dwarf fruit trees. 



Verbena. It is possible to raise Verbenas in the open air from 



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