BLUE NE.MOFHILA. 75 



beds to att'ord a slight protection. If the plants are not 

 too thick in the beds_, and do not become at any time ex- 

 cessively wet through defective drainage^ they will pass 

 through the winter with but little harm ; but if crowded 

 or damp, the frost will seriously reduce their numbers. 

 Early in the spring they should be lifted in patches and 

 carefully transplanted to well-prepared beds of rich soil, 

 and there remain to flower. The way of their Howering 

 under such treatment will surprise those who know them 

 only as sown in spring and left in crowds to struggle for 

 liglit and air, to finish their career with a mere apology for 

 their proper tl(jwers. 



But spring-sown annuals may be made to render 

 honourable service by sowing in February or March on 

 soil well broken up and liberally manured, and by taking 

 special care to thin the plants so that they ch) not anywhere 

 touch or overlap their leafage. It is truly astounding to 

 see patches of annuals grown in the customary way by 

 inexperienced amateurs, for they usually leave a hundred or 

 so of plants wdiere there is, perhaps, proper room for only 

 one ; and of course they begin the business by sowing the 

 seed in the most prodigal manner, as though the seed itself 

 should embellish the aground. 



The nemophilas are quite worthy of pot-culture for the 

 decoration of the conservatory and the window. The pots 

 should Ijc filled with rich light soil, and only ahout three 

 plants should be allowed in a pot (jf five inches diameter, 

 which is the best size to grow them in. The garden 

 nemophilas have to take their share of sunshine, and it 

 does not harm them ; but those sown in pots should be 

 shaded from the mid- day sun on bright days, as they 

 cannot so well endure the strong light. These sweet little 



