176 THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



and have become very popular on account of their ease of 

 culture and the size and beauty of the blossoms. These vary 

 greatly in color and form and are among the most gorgeous 

 of all garden flowers. 



The morning-glories are of easiest culture, thriving even 

 under adverse conditions and growing luxuriantly in favor- 

 able situations. The outer covering of the seed is very hard, 

 and the most common reason for failure with these flowers is 

 due to this fact. In order to insure the germination of the 

 seed a corner of the seed-coat should be notched with a file, 

 so that the moisture from the soil may have access to the 

 interior and enable the miniature seedling to break through. 

 The seed may be sown where the plants are to blossom, or, 

 perhaps better, on account of the uncertainty in germination, 

 they may be planted two or three inches apart in a drill and 

 the seedlings transplanted to the permanent situation when 

 the seed-leaves are well developed. They will bear this 

 transplanting readily, and one is thus more likely to get an 

 even stand of plants. 



These morning-glories, especially the Japanese sorts, may 

 very well be started early in-doors in small paper pots, and 

 transplanted out of doors when danger from frost is past. 

 The Japanese varieties will come into blossom in six or eight 

 weeks after the seed is planted. 



The moon-flower is deservedly popular as a climbing 

 plant, giving a luxuriant growth of foliage and large beautiful 

 flowers that open toward evening. Otherwise it is very 

 similar to the better sorts of morning-glories, and requires 

 much the same treatment. It is especially essential that the 

 seeds be notched before planting, in order that they may 

 germinate successfully. 



