Annuals 



on the warm side of a building. At night they can be covered with boards 

 or matting. In very cold "spells" the boxes should be brought inside. In 

 this simple way seeds may 

 often be started one to three 

 weeks ahead of the time 

 when they can be sown in 

 the open garden. Moreover, 

 the plants are likely to re- 

 ceive better care in these 

 boxes, and therefore to grow 

 more rapidly. Of course, if 

 still earlier results are de- 

 sired, the seeds should be 

 sown in the kitchen, hotbed, 

 coldframe, or in a green- 

 house if accessible. 



In starting plants ahead 

 of the season, be careful not 

 to use too deep boxes. The 

 gardener's "flat" may be 

 taken as a suggestion . Three 

 inches of earth is sufficient, 

 and in some cases (as when 

 the plants are started late) 

 half this depth is enough. 



Of late years there has 

 been a strong movement to 

 introduce the hardy peren- 

 nials into general cultiva- 

 tion. This is certainly to 

 be encouraged everywhere, 

 since it adds a feeling of 

 permanency and purpose- 

 fulness that is needed in 

 American gardens. Yet I 

 should be sorry if this movement were to obscure the importance 

 of the annuals. We need this colour and variety. 



Mexican popp> — Argemone Mexicans 



