SPRING FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 275 



and if the weather is dry at the time of sowing, the drills should be 

 freely watered before the seed is sown, and there will be no more 

 watering needed. The after-management is extremely simple : the 

 plants must be kept clear of weeds, and be slightly thinned out if 

 much crowded, for a few sturdy specimens are of more value than 

 any number that have run up weak and wiry through overcrowding. 



In sheltered gardens, having dry chalky or sandy soils, the greater 

 part, or perhaps the whole sto :k, might be transplanted from the 

 seed-beds to the flower-beds and borders in the month of October; 

 but on heavy soils and in exposed places it will be advisable to delay 

 the removal until March. This part of the work must be nicely done, 

 the plants being lifted in clumps and no attempt being made to single 

 them, and they must be carefully pressed in and aided with water, if 

 necessary, to promote a quick ' taking hold ' of their new quarters. 

 Those planted out in October on a dry soil will not only bloom 

 early and gaily, but will be beautiful in their different tints of green 

 all the winter through. 



But we are not restricted to annuals in seeking for spring flowers 

 from seeds. With very few exceptions, all the favourite plants of the 

 spring garden may be grown from seeds at a cost almost infinitesimal 

 as compared with the raising of named varieties from cuttings and 

 divisions. And this remark applies even to Daisies, which now 

 come sufficiently true and good from seeds. Pansies, which are still 

 unsurpassed as distinct and splendid bedders, also come true from 

 seed, as do the several species and varieties of Arabis, Alyssum, 

 Aubrietia, Viola, Polyanthus, Iberis, Forget-me-not, and Wallflower. 

 The precision of style and colouring that results from raising these 

 from cuttings is, of course, admitted; but in forming masses and 

 ribbon lines, minute individual characters are of less consequence 

 than a good general effect, and this may be insured by raising the 

 plants from seed in a manner so cheap and expeditious, that we feel 

 assured spring bedding would be more often seen in its proper fresh- 

 ness and fulness were the system we now recommend adopted in 

 place of the tedious one of multiplication by offsets and cuttings. 



It is of importance, however, to observe that these biennial and 

 perennial plants require more time to prepare themselves for flower- 

 ing than do the annuals. If sown in August they are likely not to 

 bloom at all the next season, or, at least, to bloom but late and 

 weakly. ^But if sown in May and June they have a long season of 

 growth before winter sets in, and at the turn of spring they are well 

 matured and strongly set for bloom, and will do their duty. 



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