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BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



he sows his seed in a frame in March he will probably have the 

 plants in bloom in July, and when once fairly started they will keep 

 growing and flowering for several weeks in fact, the period may 

 easily run to months, for the Snapdragon is about the most con- 

 tinuous grower and bloomer of all hardy plants. He can propagate 

 the best of the seedlings by cuttings. 



Aquilegias (Columbines). These are quaint as well as beautiful 

 flowers, with their long spurs. They are deservedly popular, for 

 they are graceful in habit, bloom freely, and have attractive colours. 

 They are raised quite easily from seed, and it is a good plan to sow 

 about the end of May for flowering the following year. Of the 



several beautiful kinds californica hy- 

 brida, caerulea hybrida, glandulosa, and 

 chrysantha are worthy of special men- 

 tion. All of them can be got separately. 

 Asters, China, and Perennial 

 (Michaelmas Daisy). The China Aster 

 is not recognised by botanists as an Aster 

 at all ; their Aster is the Michaelmas 

 Daisy. If the China Aster had its full 



botanical deserts it would be burdened with the formidable name of 

 Callistephus ; let us hope that it will never get them. We have 

 already seen how useful it is for transplantation to the border when 

 some early flowering plant, such as the Tulip, has passed its best. 

 The flower gardener can buy several quite distinct types, such as the 

 Ostrich Plume, the Comet, and the Victoria. He will find all of 

 these valuable, with the first named for choice. He can buy the seed 

 in mixed or separate colours, just as he likes. An assortment 

 of six separate colours will cost rather more than a mixed packet, 

 but it will give the grower the advantage of being able to 

 arrange the colours to his taste. In arranging plants from mixed 

 seed he is working in the dark. He may sow in March or April, 

 preferably, but not necessarily, in a frame or greenhouse. He will 



SOWING SEEDS IN PANS 



A, drainage ; B, soil covering seeds 

 C, seeds. 



