628 HOME AND HOUSEHOLD. 



than from any other seedling. Young plants produce the 

 largest and best flowers. Coolness and moisture are essential, 

 and the ground cannot be too rich. Transplant, when an inch 

 high, to a cool and partially shaded situation. Seed may be 

 sown in open ground, in spring or summer, or in hot-bed early 

 in spring. If seed is sown in July, the plant will blossom late 

 in autumn ; or if sown in October, will bloom the following 

 spring. It is a hardy biennial, four inches high. 



Violet. This is well adapted for border or rock work ; suc- 

 ceeds best in a shady, sheltered spot ; can be increased by 

 dividing the root. This blossom should be cherished for its 

 early appearance and its sweet perfume. It is a hardy peren- 

 nial, four inches high. 



Petunia. This is indeed the queen of flowers for massing 

 together in beds. Their easy culture, richness and variety of 

 color, together with the duration of bloom, will always insure 

 their popularity. They succeed well sown in open border in 

 spring, or earlier in hot-beds, and transplanted eighteen inches 

 apart. Do not cover the tiny seed too deep. They like sandy 

 loam. The petunia is a tender perennial, one and a half feet 

 high. 



Dahlia. This showy, beautiful flower may be found in end- 

 less variety, late in autumn, when most other flowers have 

 faded. The seed should be sown in shallow pans, in March, 

 and the seedlings transplanted to small pots. As soon as dan- 

 ger of frosts is over, plant out, one foot apart. They are easy 

 of cultivation, growing freely in almost any soil. These plants 

 will make tubers, which should be taken up in the fall and kept 

 through the winter in a cool, dry place, away from frost, and 

 planted out in the spring. They will bloom the following 

 autumn. New varieties, of exquisite beauty, are constantly 

 being produced from seed. 



Heliotrope. A half-hardy perennial, one foot high. It has 

 a dainty, purple flower, highly valued for its fragrance and du- 

 ration of bloom. It succeeds in any light, rich soil. Cuttings 

 taken while young root readily. 



Mignonette. A hardy annual, producing exceedingly fra- 

 grant flowers, on spikes from three to six inches long. It is in 

 bloom nearly the whole season. It is cultivated chiefly for its 



