148 



PRACTICE OF GARDE2vT^'G. 



But the majority of annual plants will derive much be- 

 nefit from being transplanted in an early stage of their 

 growth, as any liixuiiance in stems and leaves will thus be 

 checked, and new root-fibres will be formed, which will 

 foi'nish a fresh supply of nom-ishment for the development 

 of the flowers. Besides which, where plants of this de- 

 scription are sown in circles in the flower borders, they 

 will occupy too large a space of gi'ound, — too many plants 

 of one soii:- vrill be brought together, — and as they will 

 require thinning, the thinnings will either be wasted, or it 

 will be almost impossible to take them up with sufficient 

 cai^e for transplanting, without injuiing the remainiug 

 plants. We therefore recommend that, with the exception 

 of the sorts before named, and some few others, all annual 

 plants be raised on a bed or border prepared for the pur- 

 pose, and from thence transplanted to the situation in 

 which they are required to flower. 



Early in March, a bed or border of light rich soil should 

 be prepared, and the hardiest sorts of annuals sown in 

 shallow drills about three inches apart, and half an inch or 

 more in depth, according to their size. If any severe wea- 

 ther occurs after they appear above the surface of the 

 ground, they may be sheltered at night, by placing hoops 

 of willow or other flexible wood over the bed, and covering 

 them with garden mats ; but this protection will seldom be 

 necessary with, the hardy sorts. Towards the latter end of 

 March, or early in April, a similar bed may be prepared, 

 and the more tender kinds sown in it in the same manner; 

 these will especially require protection if frosty nights 

 occur, which may be efi'ected according to the preceding 

 du-ections. Xeither of these sowings will require any 

 attention till they have formed three or four leaves, except 

 the weather should prove dry during this time, when they 

 may be gently watered in the morning (not in the evening) 

 of the day. If a little stable dung is at command to place 

 beneath the bed on which the tender sorts are sown, they 

 "svill germinate more speedily ; though this is not essential, 

 and, where it is employed, they should be well protected 

 duiing the night, when the weather is unfavourable. When 

 the plants have formed four or five leaves, they will be fit 

 for transplanting, and a mild and cloudy evening should be 



