ANNUAL FLOWERS 39 



little bad-coloured soil comes to the top, for this can always 

 be treated and made better on the surface. Leave the surface 

 quite rough, so that frost and air may play their part in the 

 pulverising and refreshing of the soil. These are the reasons 

 for undertaking this work in winter, and the soil below is in its 

 turn being gradually enriched for the roots. If slugs abound 

 give a good dressing of soot, and six weeks after a small dress- 

 ing of lime may be of service. In March fork over the 

 ground, break up all rough clods of soil that have not fallen 

 to pieces by the action of the frost, and break down the sur- 

 face rather finely for the reception of the seeds. Use the large 

 four-tined fork for this work, breaking down, making fine, 

 and raking all in one. Whilst performing this work avoid 

 treading the soil as much as possible, particularly when of a 

 heavy clay. On the other hand, very fine and sandy soils, or 

 those of light character, may be much benefited by making 

 them firm, which is achieved by treading or by beating with 

 the back of the fork. Very light and warm shallow soils, much 

 drained by sand or gravel beds below, should receive a heavy 

 dressing of cow manure in preference to all others. This is 

 especially recommended owing to its lasting and cooling 

 qualities, cow manure in these cases being especially valuable. 

 Sowing the Seeds. This is an important matter, and must 

 be largely left to the amateur, who may perchance require 

 lines, or circles, or diamonds, or many other designs to suit 

 his own desires. But however the seeds are sown, one point 

 must be emphasised, and that is the evil of overcrowding of 

 the young seedling plants. If any doubt exists concerning 

 the germinating powers of the seeds, sow them more thickly ; 

 when, however, the seedlings appear at the rate of 90 per 

 cent, when only 40 per cent, was anticipated, on no account 

 leave the lot. To give a practical illustration of the results 

 of overcrowding place a single seed of a Mignonette in the 

 ground and the seedling will spread into a mass a foot or 

 fifteen inches across covered with fine spikes, but allow thirty 

 seeds in the same space and the outcome is a crowd of plants 

 that remind one of mustard and cress struggling for existence. 

 Many seeds, and of annuals in particular, may be sown 

 thickly, but when the seedlings appear above ground lose no 

 time in thinning them out to a reasonable number for any 

 given space. Even then one may rest assured that, in the 

 majority of instances, the error will be in leaving too 

 many plants for flowering. Sow early, thinly, and begin 

 to thin the seedlings when in the first rough leaf. By daily 

 watching note how quickly or otherwise those remaining 

 occupy the vacancies, and, if quickly, promptly thin again. 



