338 FLOWERS ALL THE YEAR ROUND 



fresh by adding a little rich soil, and put the plants in rows three or 

 four inches apart, and three inches between them in the rows. In 

 seed-pans, however, space cannot be afforded in this liberal fashion, 

 but they will make a full return for rather more than the usual spacing. 

 To maintain a dwarf habit, it is imperative that the plants should be 

 kept near the glass. 



Where there are no facilities for growing Stocks in the manner 

 described, seed may be sown at the end of the month in the open 

 ground, and with a little care there may be a handsome show of 

 bloom. The seedlings are exposed to the attacks of Turnip fly, 

 which is a terrible foe to them in the seed-leaf stage ; in fact, the 

 plants may be up and gone before danger is suspected. A light 

 sprinkling of water, followed immediately with a dusting of wood- 

 ashes, just as they are coming through, will save them, but it may be 

 necessary to repeat the operation two or three times until they are 

 out of peril. A rich and friable seed-bed is one remedy for the fly, 

 for it promotes rapid growth, which speedily places the plant beyond 

 the power of its insect adversary. But if open-ground culture 

 exposes Stocks to one hazard, it saves them from another, as mildew 

 does not attack them unless they have been transplanted. Stocks 

 come so true from seed, that it is easy to arrange a pattern in any 

 desired colours. Sow in drills from nine to fifteen inches apart, 

 according to the height of the variety, and cover the seed very 

 lightly with fine soil. The bed must be protected from birds, and a 

 dressing of soot will keep off slugs. Begin to thin the plants early, 

 but do not forget that some single specimens will have to be taken 

 out when the flowers show, and that is the time for the final 

 thinning. 



SUNFLOWERS do not well bear transplanting, hence the seed 

 should be sown where the plants are intended to flower. During its 

 brief season of growth the Sunflower taxes the soil very severely, 

 and to develop its full proportions decayed manure must be freely 

 employed to a good depth, and there must also be unstinted supplies 

 of water in dry weather. 



VIOLA. For treatment, see Pansy. 



ZINNIA. The first week of this month is as good a time as any 

 to sow seed, and the conditions named under March should be 

 followed. When the seedlings are an inch high pot them separately, 

 and place in a close shaded frame while they become established. 

 Then give air more and more freely until the plants will bear full 

 exposure. 



