ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 23 



A mellow loam, which is a medium earth between the 

 extremes of clay and sand, enriched with pulverized manure 

 or compost, is adapted to the generality of floweriiig plants ; 

 ground, however, of a boggy nature, composed of black 

 earth, decayed leaves, &c., and in a low situation, is essen- 

 tial to the luxuriant growth of amphibious plants, as Water 

 Lilies, Iris, Lobelia, and the like ; but as the cultivator has 

 not always a choice, he may select such plants only as are 

 most congenial to his peculiar soil and situation. 



Previous to digging flower beds or borders, care must be 

 taken that they are so arranged that the ground may be a 

 little elevated in the middle ; this is essential to the draining 

 oiT of a redundancy of water, as well as to the exhibition of 

 plants to the greatest possible advantage. 



All kinds of annual flower seed may be sown in the months 

 of April and INIay, on borders or beds of pulverized earth ; 

 the beds should be levelled, and the seed sown either in small 

 patches, each kind by itself, or in drills, from an eighth to 

 half an inch deep, according to the size or nature of the 

 seed. Lupins, Peas, &:c., should be planted about half an 

 inch deep. Those who would have their plants flower early, 

 should sow the hardy kinds the last week in March, or early 

 in April. Those varieties marked thus f, and thus §, may 

 be sown in boxes, or pots of light earth, at the same time. 

 These, if exposed to the sun every day, and sheltered in 

 cold nights, will be forwarded in growth, and be flt to trans- 

 plant early in June. Those marked * may also be sown in 

 small pots ; and as these plants will not bear transplanting, 

 they should be turned out of the pots with the balls of earth 

 entire, and placed in the ground where they are intended 

 to flower ; or, if the seed be sown in a bed with other kinds, 

 they should be carefully transplanted with a trowel, without 

 disturbing their roots. 



The most eligible way to obtain early flowers istopiepare 

 a shght hot-bed for the tender kinds, (see Calendar for Janu- 

 ary,) and either plunge the pots therein up to their brims, 



