ANNUALS 



THAT large class of plants which botanists distinguish as " Annuals " 

 comprises some of the most popular of garden flowers. It embraces, 

 for instance, the Sweet Pea, and if it contained no other it would 

 possess distinction from the inclusion of this one plant alone. 

 But it also includes the ever popular China Aster, the fragrant 

 Ten-week Stock, the brilliant Poppy (some others are perennials), 

 the perfumed Mignonette, the gay Godetia, the dear little blue 

 Cornflower, the pungent Nasturtium, the bright Candytuft, the 

 blazing Zinnia, the strident Mangold, and the Verbena-like Phlox 

 Drummondii. This, it will be admitted, is a powerful cohort. 

 Add .such others as the Chrysanthemum, the Convolvulus, the 

 Larkspur, the Night-scented Stock, the Salpiglossis, the Nemo- 

 phila, the Silene, and an idea can be formed of the blank which 

 there would be in gardens if the Annuals as a class were excluded 

 from them. 



Every wise flower gardener will make himself acquainted with 

 at least a few kinds of Annuals. His forte may be herbaceous 

 borders, or he may give most of his attention to rock gardening; 

 none the less, he will find places which the annuals will fill, and 

 purposes which they will serve. For example, what can replace 

 the Night-scented Stock as a perfume yielder at eventide? Its 

 odour is delicious, and it remains in flower for at least four 

 months. Then the Sweet Pea, the China Aster, and the Ten- 

 week Stock are worth places in every garden. The first is alike 

 graceful, fragrant, and continuous in blooming. The second has 

 handsome flowers of a great variety of hues, and remains in beauty 

 throughout the summer. The third is both sweet and beautiful. 



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