162 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



When taken from a garden full of pests it should be 

 carried, not dragged, over the ground, thereby avoid- 

 ing scattering insects and diseases. 



SEED SOWING 



Do not fail to plant a few native wild flowers. Our 

 California seeds, plants, and bulbs are in heavy de- 

 mand the world over, more so in every European 

 country than is the case here at home. We have a 

 long list of beauties that thrive splendidly in the gar- 

 den and range through all shades and colors in the 

 flowers. 



For summer and fall flowers an early sowing of 

 antirrhinum, arctotis, aster, calliopsis, celosia, cen- 

 taurea, chrysanthemum, dianthus, Phlox Drum- 

 mondi, summer flowering stocks, salvia, etc., may 

 be made now. The seedsman can give you an idea of 

 what will be the better seeds to sow for seasons 

 vary according to amount, time of rainfall, etc., 

 and no hard and fast rule may be laid down. The 

 more tender annuals would be risky at present if you 

 have no greenhouse or protection for them. Hardy 

 varieties may be sown at any time. 



No better time could be found than January for 

 the sowing of sweet peas for spring blossoms. The 

 plants like to grow in the cool earth, and if sown 

 now the vines will be shading the roots before the 

 soil gets overheated. It matters little how warm the 

 atmosphere is if the soil below is cool and moist, and 

 this it must be if success comes. The modern sweet 

 pea is a wonderful improvement over the old types 

 and may be obtained in nearly every shade from 

 white to black. Of late the orchid-flowered Spencer 

 strain is much in demand and far more beautiful 

 than the plain, unruffled flowers. 



