" This note, which we give at length, contains the substance, of one or two others 

 which liave come to hand on a like subject. At a corresponding season we vearly 

 receive similar communications, and as the information required is of general application, 

 we give our reply in such a manner as will, we trust, benefit not only those directly 

 interested, but many of our readers besides. 



" Annuals are calculated to effect much in the summer decoration of a flower-garden : 

 their variety is great. In habit, in foliage, in the color of their flowers, they exhibit a 

 a great diversity, and from among them may be selected such as are suitable for all sit- 

 uations, and to please all tastes. ]jut no plants are, as a general rule, worse treated than 

 annuals. Because they are for the most part easily obtained, and as easily raised, they 

 receive but a scanty amount of attention — certainly not of a nature to develop their 

 proper character and value. As generally met with, they are weak, straggling, and 

 weedy, easily damaged by rain and wind, and generally of but brief duration ; yet if 

 proper attention is aflbrded them in the several stages qf their progress, they become 

 highly effective and useful, both for cultivation in the open borders as well as for pots. 

 Many of the kinds are admirably adapted for 'massing.' 



" We shall now only speak of hardy kinds, such as may be sown in the borders where 

 they ai-e to flovter, or in a reserve garden, and be afterwards removed to their permanent 

 situations. When sown where they are to flower, the prevailing practice is to allow 

 them to remain too thickly, smothering each other in their struggles for light and air, 

 inducing a premature maturity, which of course is followed by their speedy dissolution. 

 As soon as they are fairly above the ground thinning should commence, and be progres- 

 sively followed up till in the place of fifty or more plants perhaps only five remain. Of 

 course the distance at which it will be necessary to leave them will depend on the kinds, 

 and on the richness of the soil. But the best system with the hardy kinds is to sow 

 them in a spare piece of ground, and prick them out as soon as they are large enough, 

 and only removing them to the flower-borders as vacancies may occur, or as they 

 approach iheir flowering state ; and by thus treating them, a good succession is always 

 obtainable — a point of no mean import where they have to be dej^ended on for a prin- 

 cipal item in the summer display. 



" In sowing them, a somewhat poor soil should be chosen ; and when of a sufficient 

 size to handle, choose a level spot, which can be shaded during the hottest part of the 

 day, and after thoroughly beating or rolling it, to produce a hard surface, place upon it 

 a layer of compost, chiefly composed of leaf-mold, in which plant the young annuals a 

 few inches apart. With proper attention to watering and protection from insects, their 

 progress will be rapid ; abundance of roots will be produced, and the hardened surface 

 beneath will preserve their roots from penetrating too far, to render their being trans- 

 planted safely. Ilere they will alwaj-s be ready for removal to their blooming places. 

 No check will result from their removal" if the most ordinary care is observed. Scarcely 

 a root will be lost in the process, and they become effective at once. Should they not 

 'be required till fairly in bloom, they may be as safely removed then as at any other time. 



" It will be obvious that by a little attention to successional sowing, a sujjply of good 

 plants may be obtained from the beginning to the end of the season." 



cL 



Flower Seeds. — We are still (20th May,) receiving applications for flower seeds. 

 Some of our varieties were exhausted some time ago, and as we obtain our seeds from 

 Paris, we have no opportunity to replenish. We, however, do the best we can with all 

 applicants. At a groat outlay of labor and money, we have now sent out seven thou- 

 sand packages of seeds, averaging about thirteen varieties to each package, of the best 

 annuals grown •, and if these are well cared for, and the seed distributed judiciously, 

 our labor '.viU not be iu vain. 



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