ANNUAL FLOWERING PLANTS 97 
up the subsoil to a depth of another twelve inches if 
it is so hard that the roots cannot penetrate it easily. 
Thoroughly mix with the earth at least three inches 
of old rotted and pulverized manure. The roots of the 
plants will reach deep down into the soil if it has 
Fic. 50. Cutting Sweet-Pea Flowers 
been prepared carefully, and they will not be so suscep- 
tible to the drought and heat of midsummer as plants 
forced to keep their roots near the surface to ob- 
tain food. 
Sowing. In order to encourage a strong root growth 
and hold back the top, sow the seeds as early in the 
spring as possible. It does not injure the seeds to be 
