CHAPTER XVIII 



PLANTS FOR OUTSIDE BEDDING, WINDOW 

 AND VERANDA BOXES 



PLANTS for outside planting are much in demand in 

 early spring, and are a source of considerable revenue to 

 flower growers. The plants are grown principally for 

 their ornamental effects, but many furnish cut-flowers 

 as well. They are sold by flower dealers, and supply 

 the demand at a season when few flowers are produced 

 under glass. 



BEDDING PLANTS 



705. Plants for early effects. Among the species of 

 plants adapted for early spring effects are pansies, forget- 

 me-nots, English daisies and silenes. They are grown 

 mostly as hardy annuals. The seed is sown in August, 

 in well-prepared soil in the coldframes. By the last of 

 September, the seedlings are transplanted to well-en- 

 riched soil in other coldframes and become well established 

 before freezing weather. As soon as the ground has 

 frozen solidly, they are given a light covering of boards 

 to keep the soil from alternate freezing and thawing. 

 The boards should be kept free from snow, and by the first 

 of April they are removed and glass placed over the 

 plants. This should be covered with mats and shutters 

 on very cold nights, but removed on warm bright days 

 and the plants given an abundance of air throughout the 

 day. If growth does not start quickly, a feeding of 



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