

March Sowing and Planting 



Seed of most kinds is so freely supplied by seedsmen 

 that one is always liable to sow too thickly. Next in 

 importance to sowing thinly comes the task of thinning 

 out the seedlings ; it is astonishing how even low grow- 

 ing kinds like Nemophila will spread into large tufts if 

 they have the necessary space. Moreover, a few plants 

 well grown produce a finer display than three times the 

 number of others that are ill-developed. As soon as the 

 surface is fairly dry the soil should be pulverised, a little 

 leafmould and sand being mixed in where the seeds are 

 to be sown if this seems necessary. It is useless to put 

 the seeds in wet, lumpy soil ; very few of them will 

 germinate. It may be advisable to sow seeds in a frame 

 or in boxes and subsequently to transplant the seedlings 

 out of doors. In fact, those who wish to grow half- 

 hardy annuals, yet possess no heated greenhouse, ought 

 to sow seeds now in prepared soil in a frame ; this is 

 more satisfactory than sowing the seed out of doors 

 later on. 



There are innumerable hardy annuals from which to 

 choose, but the following ought to be considered indis- 

 pensable. Sweet Alyssum and its dwarf variety, variously 

 known as Little Dorrit, compacta, etc. ; annual Chrysan- 

 themums, which bear showy Marguerite-like blooms of 

 various colours ; Rose Mallow (Lavatera rosea), a tall 

 plant, about 3 feet high, bearing lovely rose-coloured 

 flowers ; Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella hispanica), the variety 

 Miss Jekyll being c*hosen ; Coreopsis Drummondi and 

 tinctoria, which give an abundance of blossom, the 

 former yellow and brown, the latter yellow ; Clarkia, of 

 which there are now some showy varieties ; Candytuft, 

 in a variety of colours ; Delphinium, or Annual Larkspur, 

 of which especial mention should be made of Blue Butter- 

 fly and the rose-scarlet ; Sweet Peas ; the brilliant red 

 Flax (Linum grandiflorum rubrum) ; Mignonette ; Poppies 

 in variety, but especially the Shirley Poppies, and 

 umbrosum, a magnificent red and black sort. 

 L 161 



