ANNUALS 247 



unless hard frost cripples them, and as fast as new growth is 

 made it produces flowers. 



An interesting and charming idea that we have seen carried out 

 is to form garden pathways with old flagstones, not laid closely 

 in parallel lines, if unbroken, but triangularly. Such stones are, 

 however, often broken at the corners, and this is well, because 

 soil spaces are left between them, and in these Portulacas are 

 sown. They are most brilliant flowers, and will thrive almost 

 anywhere, not in the least objecting to roasting sunshine. The 

 flowers may be sown a little to right and left of the centre of the 

 path, and they will not then get trodden out of existence. 



There is yet another use to which many beautiful Annuals can 

 be put, and that is to cover porches, arches, pergolas, or to droop 

 from window-boxes. The Canary Creeper, Tropaeolum canariense 

 or peregrinum, is very popular, and the half-climbing forms of 

 Tropaeolum, such as some of the forms of Lobbianum, are extremely 

 useful. Then there are the Convolvuluses, the quaint Cobaea 

 scandens, and the pretty Maurandyas, Thunbergias, and Mina 

 lobata. One occasionally sees a pergola covered with a collection 

 of Ornamental Gourds, which are half-hardy Annuals, and may be 

 grown like Vegetable Marrows. They vary greatly in form and 

 colour. In the case of some varieties the fruits are of singular 

 shape, in others of rich colour. We know of more than one case 

 of pergolas being furnished in this way, and if the plan is open 

 to the charge of being somewhat fantastic, it is certainly not 

 without both interest and beauty. 



Having indicated some of the uses to which Annuals may be 

 put, we may now pause to consider a few important cultural points, 

 and then give selections of the best kinds and varieties. 



Dealing first with the soil, we may say that it presents a very 

 simple problem. Annuals do not require the deep, rich soil which 

 Roses and herbaceous plants demand ; indeed, it is a positive 

 disadvantage in the case of many, notably Nasturtiums, because it 



