General Notices. 231 



injured in this way, or if, from any cause, the shoots appear thin and spind- 

 ling, do not cut them at all, but let the bed have a rest during the whole 

 season. The next spring the advantage will be manifest. Nothing would 

 tend more to bring exhausted beds round than this generous treatment, and 

 by the sacrifice of a few dishes now, you will secure an abundance next 

 year. What is true of a whole bed applies also to individual plants. I al- 

 ways leave the weak shoots in the beds, on the presumption that by cutting 

 them they will become weaker, but that they will make robust shoots by be- 

 ing allowed to grow and bask in the air and the sun. My remarks also lead 

 to another practical conclusion — to leave off cutting in time. Fine shoots 

 must not be looked at with a longing eye, as though it were waste to let 

 them run to branches and flowers. They are the parents of a future race, 

 and ought to be kindly and respectfully treated. 



Manure must be plentifully given in conjunction with the above mode of 

 treatment. It should be applied at such times that the growing plant may 

 receive the benefit. It is possible for a top-dressing put on in autumn to 

 have all its valuable properties washed below the reach of the roots, before 

 they begin to exercise their vital powers. However, cover the beds with 

 good dung in autumn, but do not neglect to furnish a fresh supply in spring. 

 Salt and liquid manure should be used at the latter period, as they become 

 immediately available. I have just dressed my beds in tlie following man- 

 ner, and it is not too late for others to adopt the plan. I covered them 

 with salt, so that on a dry day the whole surface looked as though it had 

 been snowing ; they were then watered with about sixty gallons of liquid 

 manure saved from a stable during the winter. When this had sunk in, the 

 beds were raked, stones picked off, and a neat appearance given them. If 

 you have no liquid manure, make some by diluting good stable dung with 

 soapsuds, &c. As the roots will soon begin to move, the soil will be fur- 

 nished with those materials which will ensure a quick and strong growth, 

 and if the beds were healthy last year, you may depend on a crop. [Gard. 

 Chron. 1846., p. 204.) 



Cultivation of Annuals. — From the numerous advertisements of annual 

 flower seeds, we may presume there are vast numbers of buyers, and when 

 the beauty of this extensive tribe is considered, we cannot wonder this 

 should be the case. To depreciate annuals, would, indeed, be a tasteless 

 and a hopeless task, since they are worthy the best treatment, and are of 

 such essensial service in most gardens. My object will rather be to direct 

 and regulate, and not to discourage the growth of annuals. I shall there- 

 fore make some general remarks of annual flowers themselves, and then 

 lay down a iew rules for their successful culture. 



In gardens of great extent, there is a capacity for growing almost every 

 thing to advantage. Some plants are attractive any where ; others make 

 the best appearance in situations where a close inspection is possible ; but 

 many are not fit for confined situations, and when they are admired it is 

 confessed that " distance gives enchantment to the view." The common 

 sunflower is iingainly and awkward in a little suburban garden, but it tells 

 well in a plantation, or when it can be seen afar off. The same may be 



