ANNUALS AND THEIK CULTIVATION. 131 



ground the beds should be examined every morning ; every visible 

 bud should be pinched off and every long shoot shortened, the ob- 

 ject in view being to obtain large stocky plants, full of vitality. 

 If this matter is attended to regularly it will only take a few min- 

 utes each day ; but if neglected even for a day, and the day be a 

 warm one, some of the plants will be sure to flower ; which will 

 weaken them and parti}' undo our previous work. 



If the plants are thus kept from flowering until cool weather, and 

 then allowed to bloom, the flowers will be of good substance and 

 large size. I do not wish this to be taken as implying that I ever 

 consider the size of the flowers in any ditterent light from that men- 

 tioned in my scale of points ; but this keeping-back process will 

 make large and at the same time heavy and velvety flowers. 



After the first of September the flowers of almost all other an- 

 nuals begin to grow poor and the first frost practically ends their 

 flowering. But the pansy seems rather to improve than otherwise 

 by any frost that we usually have in September ; and it is from the 

 first of that month until the middle of October that a bed of pan- 

 sies grown as described is in its prime ; a time when flowers of all 

 kinds are, I believe, rather scarce. Last fall, after every other 

 flower in my garden had been spoiled by frost, my pansy bed re- 

 mained for a month in full bloom, covered with an abundance 

 of the most beautiful flowers. 



The Trop^olum. — Of this extensive genus, including with hardy 

 annuals also greenhouse and herbaceous perennials, three of the 

 annual species chiefly attract our attention ; these are 



TropcBolnm mojus (Tall Nasturtium). — A well known running 

 species, much used for covering trellises and rustic work. 



Tropveoluvi minus (Dwarf Nasturtium). — A dwarf species, 

 growing from one foot to fifteen inches in height, and one of the 

 most useful flowers we have ; for its compact growth and rich 

 colored blossoms render it an excellent bedding plant. 



Ttopceolum Lobhianum. — A running species: which may be 

 grown on a trellis, or as a dwarf if the ends of the vines are closely 

 pinched off, otherwise it will cover unnecessary space. The flow- 

 e"rs are smaller and more cup-shaped than those of the two preced- 

 ing species ; and are of verv l)rilliant colors. 



As regards the culture of the Tropseolum I have hardly anything 

 to say, it is so easily grown. All that seems necessary is to plant 

 the seed in good rich soil, see that the plants have plenty of 

 room in which to grow, and keep the soil thoroughly stirred. 



