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ANNUALS 



ANNUALS 



thinned out or transplanted to other trays, or into 

 pots, and reset from time to time, as they need; fre- 

 quent transplanting is usually an advantage. The last 

 transplanting is preferably into small pots, as then the 

 seedlings may be readily set in the open ground at the 

 proper time, with little or no check. 



Seed-sowing. 



The greater number of common annuals will bloom 

 freely if the seeds are sown in the open ground when the 

 weather becomes thoroughly settled. But there are 

 some kinds, as the late cosmos and moonflowers, for 

 which the northern season is commonly too short to give 

 good bloom unless they are started very early indoors. 



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 



216. A semi-formal garden space of annual flowers. 



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. 



When flowers of any annual are wanted extra early, 

 the seeds should be started indoors. It is not necessary 

 to have a greenhouse for this purpose, although best 

 results are to be expected with such a building. The 

 seed may be sown in boxes, and these boxes then placed 

 in a sheltered position on the warm side of a building. 

 At night they may 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 receive better care in these boxes, and there- 

 fore to grow more rapidly. Of course, if still earlier 

 results are desired, the seed should be sown in the 

 kitchen, hotbed, coldframe, or in a greenhouse. 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. 



One trouble with early sown seedlings is "drawing 

 up," and weakness from crowding and want of light. 

 This is most likely to occur with window-grown plants. 



Vigorous June-sown plants are better than such weak- 

 lings. It must be remembered, however, that very 

 early bloom usually means the shortening of the season 

 at the other end; this may be remedied to some extent 

 by making sowings at different times. 



Only the best seeds should be purchased, and it ia 

 usually 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 thickness. After covering, the soil should be pressed 

 firmly over the seed with a board or hoe, or the feet. 

 In soils that are inclined to bake, a sprinkling of sand 

 or fine litter over the surface after sowing will remedy 

 this evil. Evergreen 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. For the reception of seeds, the surface should 



be mellow and 

 smooth. The 

 seeds are sown 

 in drills or con- 

 centric circles, 

 according to the 

 method of plant- 

 ing decided 

 upon. Taller- 

 growing kinds 

 are sown toward 

 the center or 

 back of the bed. 

 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. Much 

 trouble will be 

 avoided if each 

 seed-row is 

 plainly labeled 

 or marked so 



that the young plants may be distinguished from the 

 weeds, with which they must often compete. 



Soils and places. 



Most annuals thrive best in an open, sunny situa- 

 tion, but pansies, forget-me-nots, and some others, 

 thrive where they get the full sunshine for only half the 

 day. Some of the kinds are at their best in full sunlight, 

 as portulaca, sunflower, and zinnia. In all cases the 

 best results are secured only when the soil is well 

 enriched and thoroughly prepared previous to sowing 

 or planting; and it is far better to make this preparation 

 a fortnight or more in advance. A considerable propor- 

 tion of humus in the soil is desirable, rendering it 

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

 stable-manure or leaf-mold, worked in liberally, will 

 supply 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 

 pulverizes readily. 



When the flowers are to be grown about the edges of 

 the lawn, make sure that the grass roots do not run 

 underneath them and rob them of food and moisture. 

 It is well to run a sharp spade deep into the ground about 

 the edges of the bed every two or three weeks for the 

 purpose of cutting off any grass roots that may have 



