BEDDING PLANTS. 85 



are potted up. If kept on the dry side they will bear conBiderable 

 cold, and will be prevented from making too rapid growth. By this 

 method there should be no necessity for putting in a second batch of 

 cuttings from the tops of the first lot. Give this method a trial on a 

 small scale, until familiar with its working. 



Ivy-leaved Section — The stems of these are not so succulent as those 

 of the Zonales, and should be rooted iu the sand bed. Old plants potted 

 up after being cut back will give abundant material for propagation. 



Fancy Pelargoniums are of no service for bedding, as they have only 

 a short flowering period. In this latitude they are never seen at their 

 best, and it hardly pays to grow them. In the Northern States they do 

 better. Cuttings should be put in early, and kept in a growing condi- 

 tion from the start. Large plants are secured by reducing the balls of 

 one or two-year old plants and repotting. 



PENTAS CARNEA — More familiar as a stove plant than for bedding 

 purposes. In the warmer parts of the country, however, it will give 

 three months of rather showy bloom. Treat the cuttings similarly to 

 those of Lantanai 



PERISTROPHE ANGUSTIFOLIA— A rather loose growing, but dwarf 

 and finely variegated plant, useful for vases and baskets. Propagate 

 in Spring from lifted plants. 



PETUNIAS — It is always advisable to sow the best strains of tha 

 double Petunia seed, as the majority of the seedlings will furnish all the 

 single flowered plants necessary for ordinary use. The doubles can 

 easily be picked out from the singles before the flowering period. They 

 are known by their stocky appearance, the singles having a decidedly 

 "annual" look shortly after the seedling stage has been passed. In 

 order to prevent washing of the soil after the seed is sown, use boxes, 

 say 3 inches deep; put a shallow layer of. sphagnum in the bottom, 

 make the soil firm, give a watering suflScient to wet the soil through; 

 then when the surface will admit of the operation roughen it with the 

 ends of the fingers. Sow the seed thinly and smooth the surface with 

 the end of a cigar box without covering with soil. A pane of glass or a 

 piece of damp cloth placed over th^ box will prevent a too rapid evap- 

 oration of the moisture till the seeds have germinated. They may be 

 sown during the first part of February. 



PHLOX DRUMflONDII — The numerous varieties of this popular flower 

 should be sown by the middle of February. The single whites and reds 

 are most in demand. In sowing cover the seeds with sphagnum rubbed 

 through a No. 4 sieve. In «. moderate temperature they will germinate 

 inside of a week. After the seedlings are large enough they should be 

 pricked off into boxes from which they should be transferred to pots 

 later in the season. When put in pots during the seedling stage they are 

 apt to throw up flowering stems, and become hard before sufilcient 

 growth has been formed. For late flowering plants a batch of seed may 

 be sown beginning of May; these will be of most service if white varie- 

 ties are selected. 



