THE DAWN OF SPRING 



Tall Growers 



Aconitum (Monkshood), blue Hollyhocks, in variety 



Asters, perennial, in variety Kniphofias (Tritoma), in variety 



Bocconia (Plume Poppy), cream Liliums, in variety 



Delphiniums, mostly blue Michaelmas Daisies, in variety 



Epilobium (Willow Herb), red Polygonum Baldschuanicum, 



Eremurus Himalaicus, white white 



Galega (Goat's Rue), lavender Romneya Coulteri, white 



and white Rudbeckias, in variety 



Gynerium (Pampas Grass),white Solidago (Golden Rod), yellow 



Helianthus(Sunflower), in variety Verbascums (Mulleins), yellow 



Christmas Roses, Crocuses, Crown Imperials, Daffo- 

 dils, Gladioli, Galtonia (Hyacinthus) Candicans, Tulips, 

 and other bulbous and allied plants will also prove 

 useful. 



Half-hardy Annuals. — In our glance through the seed 

 catalogues we saw that Asters, Ten-week Stocks, Neme- 

 sias, Marigolds, Phlox Drummondii, and Zinnias could 

 be procured in mixed packets, or in assortments of 

 separate colours. The latter are only superior when 

 colour grouping or bedding is desired. Early March is 

 a good time to sow, because then there is a prospect of 

 their being strong when the time comes for putting them 

 out of doors. It is an advantage to have a hotbed, 

 because the seeds germinate the quicker for bottom 

 heat ; but they will grow in a warm greenhouse. The 

 hints on sowing small seeds given in the first chapter 

 may be followed. The great points are — (i) fine, moist 

 soil ; (2) thin sowing ; (3) light covering ; (4) careful 

 watering ; (5) abundant ventilation directly the plants 

 come through ; (6) early pricking-off to prevent over- 

 crowding. In the absence of a greenhouse, and if there 

 is only one frame, it will be wise to defer sowing for a 

 month, as it is dangerous to raise plants in a hotbed 

 119 



March 

 1-15 



