ANNUALS 223 



are small-seeded; these are sown on the surface of the bed, then 

 gently pressed into the loose soil and only slightly covered by again 

 leveling the surface. Sunflowers, Sweet Peas, Morning Glory, 

 Zinnia and Nasturtium must be planted somewhat deeper; Sweet 

 Peas 2 or 3 inches deep. All the various places where seeds have 

 been sown should be accurately marked in some way by sticks or 

 labels, so that the tiny plants, when they appear above ground, 

 may be easily found and distinguished, and not be mistaken for 

 weeds, for it is an important procedure, the keeping down of weeds 

 from their very start. Many annuals are better sown in a coldframe 

 or seed-bed and transplanted to their permanent quarters later; 

 however, the following should be sown where they are to bloom: 

 Poppies, Mignonette, Alyssum, Sweet Peas, Candytuft, Larkspur, 

 Sunflower, Portulaca, Morning Glory and Centaurea. The border 

 or bed should be well dug, liberally enriched with good old manure, 

 and neatly finished off by giving it the desired form and an even 

 surface. After the thorough preparation of the bed, the spaces 

 where one or the other of such varieties is believed to prove most 

 effective when in bloom, are marked or staked off, considering well 

 the habit, color and height of the plants when at their best. 



Transplanting. In planting out, care is necessary. The work 

 is best done in the evening or on a cloudy day. In very dry weather 

 the plants should be watered right after being set out. Most va- 

 rieties may be handled with safety at any time, if the plants have 

 not been growing too crowded in the boxes or seed-bed. In such a 

 case it is a good plan to thin out or transplant to distances of an 

 inch or more into other boxes or frames when still very small. Such 

 plants, if taken out with care, a ball of soil adhering to their roots, 

 will not mind a transplanting into the garden later. Most an- 

 nuals will benefit by having the top removed when 4 inches tall; 

 they then become branchy, symmetrical and produce more bloom. 



AGERATUM (Floss Flower). A. Houstonianum takes its 

 place as one of the finest blue border and porch box plants. It is very 

 tender, although it does not require much heat during the Winter. 

 For continuous bloom keep the seed from forming. 



Propagation. Lift old plants and keep in a greenhouse; they 

 will give an abundance of growths for cuttings during the months 

 of February and March. 



ALYSSUM (Sweet Alyssum). This plant is one of the last 

 to succumb to cold weather. In the city of Washington it is fre- 



