Sowing, Transplanting and Culture 25 



It is said that annuals will grow in practically any 

 soil. If this is true it is no reason why we should 

 attempt to grow them that way. The results are sure 

 to be disappointing. The border or bed in which 

 the annuals are to grow should be ^spaded over to 

 the depth of a foot — one full "spit" (the depth of 

 a spade blade) and another short one below it. After 

 the soil has been thoroughly broken up it should have 

 mixed with it a quantity of old well-rotted manure. 

 Fresh, "green" manure is far worse than useless; it 

 is completely destructive to plant life. If the soil 

 shows a tendency to stickiness, it is over-balanced on 

 the clay side and needs, in addition to the manure, 

 some sand. The best soil for annuals should be such 

 that when a handful is taken from beneath the surface 

 and squeezed, it will, when released, partly crumble 

 apart. Clayey soil remains in a sticky ball; soil that 

 is too sandy falls entirely apart too quickly. 



The seeds should be sown outdoors somewhat deeper 

 than in flats — three to four diameters under the sur- 

 face — and it is always well to sift over the soil, after 

 the seed is planted, a light covering of sand or sandy 

 soil, which will help to prevent the ground from bak- 

 ing and forming a crust. 



Watering is a simple enough procedure, yet it is 

 probably one of the most common sources of trouble 

 in the garden of annuals. A light sprinkling daily 

 does more harm than good. The ground should be 

 thoroughly soaked, say once a week. If water is con- 

 veyed to it by means of a hose, take off the nozzle and 



