ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 21 



Another consideration is, to have suitable implements 

 ready, so that the work may be performed in a skilful 

 manner, and at the proper season. A spade, rake, hoe> 

 trowel, drilling machine, and pruning knife, maybe deemed 

 essentials ; and in order to have the beds laid out, vyith the 

 edges straight and even, a garden line should be in rea- 

 diness. If labels should be required, they may be made of 

 shingles, which being split into strips of about an inch wide, 

 and sharpened at one end, will serve for marking distinct 

 kinds, either in pots, or on the borders. In order to have 

 the names or numbers written in legible characters, the 

 labels should be painted on the smooth side with white lead, 

 and then marked with black lead pencil before the paint 

 gets dry ; inscriptions made in this way, will be as durable 

 as the label itself. 



The next, and perhaps the most important consideration) 

 is, to have the ground in good condition to receive the seed. 

 In order to obtain this desirable object, let some good rich 

 compost, or very old manure, be provided and well mixed 

 with the soil ; dig it a full spit deep, pulverizing every 

 particle. It would be an advantage if the ground could be 

 dug to a great depth at the clearing up of Winter, and then 

 again at the period of sowing seed in the Spring : 



"I come, I come — ye have called me long — 

 I come o'er the mountains with light and song ! 

 Ye may trace my steps o'er the wakening earth, 

 By the winds which tell of the Violet's Birth, 

 By the Primrose-stars in the shadowy grass, 

 By the green leaves opening as I pass." 



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 flowering 

 plants ; ground however of a boggy nature, composed ot 

 black earth, decayed leaves, &c, and in a low situation, 

 is essential 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 



