ON ANNUALS AND BIENNIALS. 213 



it whilst larger seed may have a depth of a quarter of an inch 

 or so. 



Sowing in drills, as recommended, is a much better plan than 

 sowing broadcast, as the operator is then able to run the hoe 

 in between the rows, and so keep the surface of the soil open for 

 the admission of air, a state which is very beneficial to the 

 young seedlings. Another advantage is that the young 

 plants can be much more easily and expeditiously thinned. After 

 sowing, a good soaking should be given through a fine rose, so 

 as not to disturb the seeds, and a thin shading of tiffany, or 

 other light material, should be thrown over the border to pre- 

 vent excessive evaporation, and keep it in a uniform state of 

 moisture. Great care must be taken to remove this as soon as 

 the seedlings show the slightest sign of breaking through the soil, 

 or they will be spoiled. As soon as the seedlings appear, and 

 are large enough to handle, they should be thinned, so as to 

 get sturdy little plants, which are better able to withstand the 

 winter, and are also in a much better condition for removal 

 to their permanent positions in spring. If allowed to grow up 

 without thinning, the roots become matted together, and get 

 broken during transplanting, and the plants are thereby weak- 

 ened. After thinning, the only attention that is needed is to 

 keep them well watered and free from weeds during the 

 remainder of, the autumn. If exceptionally hard weather sets in 

 during the winter, they may have a few dry leaves, or other 

 light material, thrown in amongst them, so as to break the 

 force of the frost. The best time to transplant into their 

 flowering positions is in March, or even earlier, if the weather will 

 allow. At this sowing, only the hardiest kinds should be sown. 



February Sowing. — This may be done in a cold frame 

 or handlight, thinning out the seedlings when large enough, 

 and finally transplanting into their flowering quarters during 

 favourable weather in April and May. The general plan, however, 

 is to sow the seed, in pans or boxes in a warm house, prick 

 off the seedlings into other boxes, gradually hardening them off, 

 by inuring to light and air, and afterwards transferring to the open 

 border when fear of sharp frost is past. A very handy size of box 

 is one about i8in. or 2oin. long, by ioin. to i2in. wide, and 4m. 

 deep. 



Late Sowing. — For late summer and autumn display, the 

 usual plan is to sow where the plants are intended to flower, in 



