262 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



Prepare the soil in advance by deep digging, and the incorporation 

 of an abundant supply of manure. The most effectual way of doing 

 it is to take out the earth to a depth of eighteen inches or two feet, 

 and fill the space with decayed manure and loam, chiefly the former. 

 Upon this put out the plant, or sow seed as may be determined. If 

 this is too great a tax upon resources, or the near presence of shrubs 

 renders the proceeding impossible, drive a bar into the soil, which, if 

 light, can be readily worked into a fair-sized hole. Fill this with rich 

 stuff nearly to the top, and over it either put the plant or sow seed. 

 A heavy top dressing round each stem is also desirable, and the ap- 

 plication of copious supplies of water will carry the goodness down 

 to the roots. Sub-tropical plants are only a source of disappointment 

 under niggardly treatment, but they amply repay all the care and 

 generosity which a liberal hand may lavish upon them. The plants 

 will need the support of stakes to save them from injury in a high 

 wind. 



SCHIZANTHUS 



Half-hardy annual 



To a certain extent this flower has recovered from the undeserved 

 neglect to which careless cultivation had in some degree consigned it. 

 We have no more elegant half-hardy annuals for specimen culture than 

 the varieties of this very distinct plant. The seed should be sown in 

 heat in March, and the plants can be potted on for flowering in the 

 conservatory, or may be planted out in the open border. But to 

 obtain fine conservatory specimens the seed must be sown in August 

 or September, and the plants kept through the winter in a light, airy 

 house, sufficiently heated to exclude frost. S. retusus and its white 

 variety are also extremely useful for open-air decoration, and may 

 be treated as ordinary half-hardy annuals. 



SENECIO, or JACOBEA 



Groundsel. Hardy annual, and half-hardy perennial 



MANY varieties of Jacobea are known to gardens, but the dwarf 

 crimson, purple, rose and white varieties take the lead for beauty and 

 usefulness. They are remarkably accommodating plants, adapted for 

 beds or the greenhouse. Sow early in a moderate heat, and grow 

 on with liberal care, and when bedded out the plants will produce 



