THE VIRGINIA STOCK. 83 



Let us now address ourselves to this subject. When 

 annuals are sown in autumn, it should be on poor, dry 

 ground. The object is to build up the plant slowly, as a 

 mountaineer that is thinly fed becomes sturdy through 

 constant exposure to all the airs of heaven more than by 

 the aid of such nourishments as are strewn in the lap of 

 luxury. The time of sowing must be regulated by the 

 latitude and local circumstances : in the far north, the end 

 of July is none too soon; in the midlands, the middle of 

 August is soon enough ; in the south, the sowing may be 

 prudently delayed until September ; and in the far south, 

 where geraniums often live through the winter, October is 

 soon enough. The object of sowing in autumn is to give 

 the plant the longest possible time to accumulate the sub- 

 stance requisite to the production of flowers. But if we 

 sow too early for the district, the plants may become stout 

 and succulent before the winter frost occurs, and when the 

 frost comes it may kill them. Hence the necessity of in 

 some degree adapting the season of sowing to the averages 

 of the local climate. 



The safest mode of procedure is to sow in an open spot, 

 on poor soil, and thin the plants to about two inches apart 

 before they touch one another. In spring, when the weather 

 is favourable, transplant them to the spots whereon they are 

 required to flower, and do this as early as possible, that they 

 may become well established before they begin to throw up 

 their flowers. In a mild, open season the middle of February 

 is none too soon for this work ; but it should anywhere be 

 completed before March is out. 



In places much exposed, where there might be a risk of 

 losing the stock in the winter, the seed may be sown on 

 beds made up for the purpose in turf pits. In this case 



