68 



ANNUALS 



the size of caraway seed. In common with all umbel- 

 liferous seed. Anise seed does not retain its viability long, 

 the normal longevity being 1 to 3 years. 



Annuals, plants which, in cultivation, are prefer- 

 ably grown from seeds each year are commonly classed 

 as Annuals. More strictly, Annuals are plants which 

 normally live but a single season. Among Annuals are 

 found a number of the most showy flowers. As a rule, 

 they are easily grown, producing quick results and af- 

 fording a variety of brilliant colors. The class is, there- 

 fore, one of the greatest value. Some of the Annuals last 

 only a few weeks in bloom, others continue throughout 

 the summer. There are trailers and climbers, dwarfs and 

 tall growers. By a judicious selection and arrangement 

 of kinds, the handsomest effects may be produced. Many 

 of the showy kinds are adapted to mass effects, while the 

 dwarf-growing sorts make fine flowering edgings for beds 

 or walks. With the latter, handsome ribbon-beds are pos- 

 sible, but this requires care in the selection of kinds, and 

 as the use of the trimming shears is almost precluded it 

 is best to limit oneself to simple designs. Annuals are 

 well adapted to the covering of bare spots of ground in 

 the border. Annuals, like other flowers, show off best 

 when seen against a background of foliage. See Figs. 

 91, 92. The tall and leafy kinds make excellent covers 

 for unsightly objects ; see Screfut;. For climbing and 

 twining kinds, see Viues. See, also, JUver la stings and 

 Gratifies. 



In the case of others than the continuous bloomers, a 

 succession of sowings or plantings is desirable to pro- 

 vide for a continuous display ; then as a kind begins to 

 fail its place may be filled with young plants of the same 

 or other species. The usual method of securing suc- 

 cession is to sow the seeds in flats, or beds, and trans- 

 plant the seedlings first to pots. The potted plants may 

 be set out at any time, with but little check to growth. 



Most Annuals prefer an open, sunny situation, but 

 pansies, forget-me-nots, and some others, thrive where 

 they get the full sunshine for only half the day. In all 

 cases the best results are obtained only when the soil is 

 well enriched and thoroughly prepared previous to sow- 

 ing or planting ; and it is far better to make this prepa- 

 ration a fortnight or more in advance. A considerable 

 proportion of humus in the soil is desirable, rendering it 

 less subject to baking and drying out. Cow -manure, 

 stable-manure or leaf -moid, worked in liberally, will sup- 

 ply this. Beds should be spaded thoroughly and at least 

 a foot deep. If the surface is then again worked over to 

 half this depth, better results will be obtainable. The 

 soil should not be disturbed, however, unless it pulver- 

 izes readily. For the reception of seeds, the surface 

 should be mellow and smooth. The seeds are sown in 

 drills or concentric circles, according to the method of 

 planting decided upon. Taller growing kinds are sown 



Eilline the formal space bet 



toward the center or back of the bed. Only the best 

 seeds should be purchased, and it is generally best to 

 get the colors in separate packets. In the open ground, 

 seeds may be covered to a depth of four or five times 

 their own thickness, but when sown indoors in trays or 

 pots, the rule is to cover them to about their own thick- 

 ness. The position of each row or kind should be marked, 

 so that when weeds and flowers spring up there will be 

 no trouble in separating the sheep from the goats. After 

 covering, the soil should be pressed firmly over the seed 

 with a board or hoe, or the feet. In soils which are in- 

 clined to bake, a sprinkling of sand or fine litter over 

 the surface after sowing will remedy this evil. Ever- 

 green boughs placed over the beds until the seedlings 

 have appeared will afford useful shelter from beating 

 rains. It is desirable to sow the seeds thickly. When 

 up, the plants may be thinned to their proper distances. 

 Particular care should be given to this matter, and to 

 keeping down weeds, or the plants may become weak, 

 spindling and valueless. No seed puds should be allowed 

 to form, else the vitality of the plants will be exhausted. 

 The flowers may be freely gathered with advantage to 

 the flowering. 



It is customary to divide Annuals into three classes: 

 (1) Hardy Annuals are those which are sown directly in 

 the open ground where they are to grow. They are vitally 

 strong, developing without artificial heat, and may be 

 sown from February to May, according to the season and 

 latitude. Some of them, as sweet peas, may be sown 

 even in the fall. For this class, a well prepared border 

 on the south side of a fence or wall, or other sheltered 

 place, is usually preferred for early sowings. From here 

 the seedlings are transplanted later where they are to 

 grow. Some sorts, however, do not bear transplanting 

 well, consequently must be sown in the places they are to 

 occupy. Among such are poppies, eschscholtzia, barto- 

 nia, Venus' looking-glass, lupine, raalope, and the dwarf 

 convolvulus. (2) Half-hardy Annuals are usually sown 

 in February or March in the window or a warm frame. 

 The season is usually not long enough to enable them to 

 reach full development in the open. In the early stages 

 of growth, they need protection and warmth. Such 

 kinds are sometimes sown in the fall and wintered over 

 in a coldframe. When once established, they are hardy 

 with slight protection. Pansies and some other kinds 

 are grown to their greatest perfection only in this way. 

 (3) Tender Annuals require still more warmth, and are 

 started from January to May in the greenhouse or other 

 suitable place. They commonly need a temperature of 

 from 60° to 70°. The danger with early grown seedlings, 

 especially those started in the window, is crowding and 

 want of light. As soon as crowding begins, the plants 

 should be thinned out or transplanted to other trays, or 

 into pots, and reset from time to time, as they need ; 

 frequent transplanting is usually an advantage. The 

 last transplanting is preferably into small 

 pots, as then the seedlings may be readily 

 set out in the open ground at the proper 

 time, with little or no check to growth. 



Some of the staple or general-purpose 

 types of Annuals in the North are the fol- 

 lowing : Petunias, phloxes, pinks or dian- 

 thuses, larkspurs or delphiniums, calliopsis 

 or coreopsis, pot marigolds or calendula, 

 bachelor's buttons or Centanrea Cyanus, 

 clarkias, zinnias, marigolds or tagetes, col- 

 linsias, gilias, California poppies or esch- 

 seholtzias, verbenas, poppies, China asters, 

 sweet peas, nemophilas, portulacas, silenes, 

 candytufts or iberis, alyssum, stocks or 

 matthiolas, morning-glories, nasturtiums or 

 tropaeolums. Other species are mostly of 

 special or particular use, not general-use 

 types. In the South, and occasionally at the 

 North, some of the Annuals come up volun- 

 tarily year after year from self-sown seeds. 

 Petunias, phloxes and raorning-glories are 

 examples. 



For further suggestions, see Seedage. 

 For an annotated list of Annuals suited for 

 northern climates, see Bull. 101, Cornell 

 Exp. Sta. Ernest Walkeb. 



