Gardening in California 



plants of this class are not allowed to get pot-bound. Acalyphas 

 especially should be given plenty of pot-room as they require 

 good cultivation. 



In potting young plants use rich loam, half-decayed leaf- 

 soil and sand, with a good sprinkling of old manure and a little 

 bone-meal; keep the foliage clean by sponging the leaves, as 

 overhead watering is liable to cause the racemes to decay; grow 

 the plants in a warm, moist atmosphere. 



MAY. 



Sow seeds of Cowslips and hardy Primroses early in the 

 month, either in a cool, shady border or in boxes in a cold frame 

 where they should be kept shaded from sunshine until germin- 

 ation. Seedlings, well-grown, generally give better results than 

 those propagated by division of the roots. As soon as the young 

 plants are large enough to be handled, prick them out in a shady, 

 well-sheltered border in a light soil, giving them plenty of water; 

 plant them in their permanent quarters in September or October 

 where they will give fine effects during the following Spring. 



Annuals, the seeds of which were sown some weeks ago in 

 the flower-border and other vacant spaces, should now receive 

 attention in the way of thinning, in order that they may not 

 become crowded. Before thinning, give the ground a good 

 soaking with water so that the roots may be the more easily 

 drawn from the soil. Should there be any danger of loss from 

 slugs or other insects, it would be well to defer the final thin- 

 ning until the young plants are at least three inches high. It is 

 well however to err on the side of excessive thinning, as crowded 

 annuals always look poor and insignificant and bloom for only 

 a short time. After thinning, mulch lightly with old manure 

 about half an inch deep. 



A further sowing of any subjects which will come into flower 



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