46 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



black, some white with crimson blotches, and some 

 showed rare shades of grey. 



Sweet Alyssum sows itself, and the trouble is 

 usually not to save but to get rid of it. Candytuft 

 may be saved, but the fewer flowers allowed to seed 

 the better for the continuation of bloom. Where 

 one does not actually need the seed all flowers should 

 be removed as fast as they fade. No one thing will 

 add so much to the appearance of the garden as this, 

 as nothing is more untidy than flowers gone to 

 seed. 



Perennials are greatly benefited by having the 

 withered flowers removed ; indeed so noticeable is the 

 advantage that some, like the Monkshood, will give 

 a second crop of flowers, and those that will not re- 

 spond in this way will be more robust and bloom 

 more freely the next year. 



Vincas, too, and Hibiscus bloom more freely if not 

 allowed to seed, while Coleus should not even be al- 

 lowed to bloom. Sweet-peas must on no account be 

 permitted to seed unless grown for the purpose. 

 Seed may be gathered from the Thunbergia, Mau-x 

 randya, Adlumia, common Morning-glory and Holly- 

 hock without risk of deterioration or harm to the 

 vine. Antirrhinums suffer severely from seed-bear- 

 ing, while the Ricinus, Lantanas and Salvias may be 

 allowed to seed freely. Ageratums look rusty when 

 ripening seed, and it pays to go over them frequently 

 with the shears; this will keep them fresh and full 



