40 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Such seeds as Virginian Stock, Candytuft, Mignonette, and 

 others are often sown in heaps, thus leaving no room what- 

 ever for future development, and poor, stunted, or diminutive 

 growth is the result. Suppose, for instance, one wishes to 

 make a fine display in a mixed border, and groups about three 

 feet across are desired. For these the Candytufts or Mignon- 

 ette would be suitable, and if good seed has been procured 

 fifty seeds will be ample to sow over this space. Many 

 amateurs would sow a threepenny or a sixpenny packet on 

 the same space, but if good masses of bloom are required the 

 fifty seedlings should be reduced to quite one-half the num- 

 ber. This little instance will show the importance of plenty 

 of space for the plants' development, and what is true of those 

 mentioned here as examples is equally true, even if in a modi- 

 fied way, of everything else that may be classed as Hardy 

 Annuals. 



A word of warning after thinning may be necessary. 

 Many young plants are loosened by pulling out those by 

 their side. Take care, therefore, that those remaining be 

 made quite firm in their places. It is wise to maintain a 

 succession of the best kinds. This may be accomplished in a 

 large degree by successive sowings at intervals, and generally 

 it is the best method to adopt. Others, too, may be sown in 

 pots, a plan best followed where the ground has been or is 

 likely to be occupied far into the year. In gardens where the 

 so-called spring bedding is adopted, the pot system of raising 

 hardy and half-hardy annuals is a good one for filling up the 

 gaps. The same method may also be adopted for very early 

 work. For example, the Sweet Sultans and Sweet Peas are 

 great favourites always, and very welcome when flowered 

 quite early or before those in the open ground have ex- 

 panded. Stocks and Asters, too, are quite amenable to this 

 treatment, the former more especially because they transplant 

 badly. 



In sowing all the seeds of annuals the smallest covering of 

 soil is usually sufficient as a general rule ; but the seeds of the 

 various plants vary so much in size that it is better to cover 

 small ones only half an inch deep or even less, and the larger- 

 seeded kinds somewhat deeper. A method often practised is 

 to draw a line or a circular drill with a stick, or with the first 

 finger, and sprinkle in the seeds, finally scratching the soil over 

 again with a small hand-fork. Other seeds required in larger 

 groups may be sown thinly broadcast and raked in with the 

 teeth of a small hand-fork. 



Gathering of the Flowers. A plant of the nature of an 

 annual cannot bear a double burden, the strain is too much, 



