ANNUAL FLOWERS 



IT is unwise to grow too many plants in the small garden, 

 and especially of annuals, which are often unruly in growth, 

 quickly tumbling over everything near to them, or covering 

 many precious perennials with their trails of stems and leaves. 

 There is wisdom in taking up a few groups and growing them 

 thoroughly e.g. the Poppies, Sweet Peas, and similar kinds, 

 which are both charming in the garden and useful to gather 

 for the house. 



Amateurs who delight in colour may have a showy border 

 or flower bed at trifling cost and with little delay. There are, 

 broadly, only two classes of annuals, those known as "hardy " 

 and " half-hardy." The former may be sown in the open 

 border straight from the purchased seed packets, whilst the 

 others require sowing in some warmth, such as a frame or 

 similar contrivance. 



The soil requires first consideration. Well dig the beds 

 or borders in autumn, putting in rather deeply plenty of well- 

 decayed manure. If the garden soil is heavy, inclining to 

 close clay, get a load of road sweepings or grit, and either dig 

 this in with the manure or spread on the surface when digging 

 is completed. Do not be afraid to dig deeply even when a 

 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 



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