THE VIRGINIA STOCK, 83 
Let us now address ourselves to this subject. When 
annuals are sown in autumn, it should be on poor, dry 
ground, The object is to build up the plant slowly, as a 
mountaineer that is thinly fed becomes sturdy through 
constant exposure to all the airs of heaven more than by 
the aid of such nourishments as ure strewn in the lap of 
luxury. The time of sowing must be regulated by the 
latitude and local circumstances: in the far north, the end 
of July is none too soon; in the midlands, the middle of 
August is soon enough; in the south, the sowing may be 
prudently delayed until September; and in the far south, 
where geraniums often live through the winter, October is 
soon enough. The object of sowmg in autumn is to give 
the plant the longest possible time to accumulate the sub- 
stance requisite to the production of flowers. But if we 
sow too early for the district, the plants may become stout 
and succulent before the winter frost occurs, and when the 
frost comes it may kill them. Hence the necessity of in 
some degree adapting the season of sowing to the averages 
of the local climate. 
The safest mode of procedure is to sow in an open spot, 
on poor soil, and thin the plants to about two inches apart 
before they touch one another. In spring, when the weather 
is favourable, transplant them to the spots whereon they are 
required to flower, and do this as early as possible, that they 
may become well established before they begin to throw up 
their flowers. In a mild, open season the middle of February 
is none too soon for this work; but it should anywhere be 
completed before March is out. 
In places much exposed, where there might be a risk of 
losing the stock in the winter, the seed may be sown on 
beds made up for the purpose in turf pits. In this case 
