By J. M. Abbott. 



Annuals are plants which, botanically speaking, grow from the 

 seed, flower, fruit, and die within the short space of one year. 

 This definition is, however, not absolutely correct, as some annuals, 

 by a special mode of culture, may be enticed to live longer. 

 Such is the case with the Mignonette, which will continue to 

 flower for two or more years, if the old blossoms are pinched off 

 as they decay, thus preventing seed from ripening, and throwing 

 the strength of the plant into the production of more growth 

 and flower. 



For a long time, annuals occupied a very subordinate position 

 in the garden, this no doubt being due to the fact that they 

 were cultivated in a manner not calculated to show them off to 

 the best advantage. Perhaps the craze for " summer bedding " 

 also helped to bring about this deplorable state of affairs. Far 

 too often the only cultivation they received was the scratching 

 over of the surface-soil with a rake, followed by the seed-sowing. 

 For the rest they were allowed to take care of themselves, and, if 

 they escaped the attacks of slugs, &c., they were left unthinned 

 and unlooked-after, the result being a weak, spindly growth, and 

 consequently a short-lived, miserable show of flowers. Like all 

 other plants, they require attention to bring them to perfection, and 

 under good cultivation they produce a splendid display. They are 

 certainly a beautiful class of plants, and it is a pity that they 

 should ■ have fallen into such a state of neglect. At the present 

 day, however, it is gratifying to observe a distinct revival in the 



