20 How to Make a Flower Garden 



I knew it some of them were shooting up in the air more than an inch, though 

 still encased in the seed-shells, and by the time the seed-lobes were freed 

 they were carried an inch and a half high. Since then I give all the light 

 and sunshine possible from the moment I discover the first seed breaking 

 the soil, and thus keep the seed-lobes as close to the soil as possible. An 

 abundance of sunshine and strong light is a necessity, for without these the 

 seedlings become long-drawn and leggy and have no strength to stand upright. 

 In a mild spring I find it advisable to remove the seedlings to a room 

 where there is no artificial heat, as the two greatest drawbacks to growing 

 annuals in the house are excessive heat and shade. I soon begin to give 

 them air during the warmest part of the day by opening the windows or 

 setting them in an open door where the sun will shine upon them. After 

 a short time I set them on a sunny piazza — any sheltered place would do — ■ 

 during the middle of the day, then soon put them out in the morning, taking 

 them in at night. As soon as all danger of freezing is past I let them rem.ain 

 out day and night, only taking them m from beating rain. The plants are 

 not properly hardened off ready for transplanting until they have had full 

 exposure to wind and sun ; and they should be set by the beds where they 

 are to be planted out a few days previous to taking them out of the boxes. 

 In starting any kind of plants from seed indoors in early spring it is 

 important to have the seed-boxes in a handy place where one cannot help 

 seeing them many times a day. If a seed-box is put out doors on the porch, 

 the soil will dry out before you realise it and the tender seedlings will be 

 checked or ruined. It is very fascinating to watch the growth of seedlings. 

 In growing annual flowers I always get the best results from sowing 

 seeds in boxes indoors about fifty days before the soil outside is in perfect 

 condition, and for this purpose I use a plant-table, 

 which is a great convenience. It is a home-made 

 aftair which any one can duplicate at a small expense 

 and which will soon prove to be an indispensable 

 convenience. Plants can be watered on such a table 

 with no drip upon the carpet, and if sand is filled 

 m around the pots and kept moist it will be found 

 A plant-table Tor holding boxes an exccllcnt Way of Supplying that moisture to the 

 of seedlings ^-^ wliich plauts must have in order to flourish. 



The most valuable as well as essential feature of the plant-table is a 

 zinc-lined false top. Almost any stout table of suitable size will do as 



