64 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and the Giant type is very fine. For window box culture it is also 

 excellent. Nasturtiums are most useful annuals and should have 

 a place in even the most select gardens. The dwarf varieties in 

 masses are very showy and the tall sorts are excellent for running 

 over rocks, fences, or unsightly objects. They are probably the 

 most desirable of all flowering plants for window box culture. 



Zinnias are a common and rather stiff growing plant, but if cut 

 flowers are desired in quantity at a minimum of cost they have no 

 equal. 



Pentstemons treated as annuals are very desirable bedding plants. 

 From seed sown in February excellent plants can be procured by 

 May. From cuttings taken in October from the outdoor plants 

 and kept over winter in a frame in flats of sand an earlier crop of 

 flowers can be obtained, although the seedlings seem to make the 

 most vigorous plants. These can now be procured in one or two 

 separate colors and are worthy of a place in every garden. 



Antirrhinums for clumps and masses are very useful. Sown at 

 the same time as Pentstemons they also make strong plants by May, 

 and even if not in flower they cover the ground with nice green 

 foliage. The dwarf varieties are particularly good. 



I have only touched on a few annuals as I believe the discussion 

 will bring out many more which time will not permit me to name. 

 I would like before closing to say a few words for geraniums of 

 the single English round-flowering type. Grown in frames and 

 housed when chrysanthemums are going past, they acceptably fill 

 a gap in decorative plants at a very dark and floriculturally dull 

 season. These plants flower well in a house with a minimum 

 temperature of 50° to 52° and i rather dry atmosphere; six-inch 

 pots are suitable in which to flower them. A few very excellent 

 sorts are Emile Zola, orange-salmon; Albion and Snowdrop, pure 

 white; J. M. Barrie, bright cerise; Richmond Beauty, scarlet with 

 white feathering on the upper petals; Jacquerie, dark crimson- 

 scarlet; Paul Crampel, scarlet; and Gertrude Pearson, deep pink. 



This class of geraniums is of no value for bedding but for flower- 

 ing under glass in December, January, and February they are with- 

 out a peer. They ship well, make desirable room plants, and the 

 softer shades can be used to good advantage as dinner table center- 

 pieces. 



