206 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



more extended use of annuals would render unnecessary the cultiva- 

 tion of what are especially known as * bedding plants ' ; but there is 

 something to be said in behalf of annuals, that may be worth the 

 consideration of all who are interested in the development of fresh- 

 ness, variety, and richness of colour in the flower garden. In the 

 first place, these plants come into flower within a comparatively short 

 period of time from the sowing of the seed, and it is a matter of con- 

 siderable importance that a large proportion of the best continue 

 beautiful until the very close of the season. Sometimes in the 

 autumn, Geraniums become literally washed out, while Tom Thumb 

 Nasturtiums may be ablaze with colour, and continue so when the 

 Geraniums are housed for the winter. A number of showy and long- 

 lasting annuals may be selected for employment in the bedding sys- 

 tem, and by a little management those that do not last the season 

 out may be replaced by others for succession ; thus affording the 

 advantage of increased variety, and making no demand for glass and 

 fuel to keep them through the winter as the ordinary bedders do. 

 We have had great and glorious sheets of Candytufts, snow-white, 

 rich crimson, bright carmine, and deep purple ; and when they began 

 to wane they were removed, and the ground planted with Asters, and 

 very soon there was another display, so fresh and bright and various, 

 that no greenhouse bedders could surpass them. Great hungry 

 banks, that would have swallowed many pounds' worth of greenhouse 

 plants to cover them, have been made delightfully gay at a very 

 trifling cost, by sowing upon them Tropaeolums, Sweet Peas, Tom 

 Thumb Nasturtiums, Bartonia aurea^ Lupinus nanus, Virginian Stock, 

 Collinsia bicolor, Limnanthes, Convolvuluses, Candytufts, Esch- 

 scholtzias, Poppies, and Clarkias ; and damp, half-shady borders have 

 been delicately tesselated by means of Forget-me-nots, Venus's. 

 Looking-glass, Pansies, the Rosy Oxalis, Nemophilas, and German 

 Scabious. 



For the more important positions in the flower garden, we have 

 choice of many really sumptuous subjects, such as Stocks, Asters, 

 Balsams, Phlox Drummondii, Lobelias, Tom Thumb Antirrhinums, 

 Dianthus Heddewigii^ Portulacas, Zinnias, Erysimums, the lovely 

 Scarlet Flax (Linum grandiflorum rubrum\ Godetias, Silenes, Nastur- 

 tiums (the true ' Tom Thumb ' race, offering a variety of colours), and 

 a score more things equally beautiful and lasting. We do not hope 

 by these brief remarks to change the prevailing fashion indeed, we 

 have no particular wish that way but we feel bound to observe that 

 it is sufficient for the beauty of the garden that the greenhouse 



