ANNUALS. 



57 



less than six inches apart. The July flowers, or more commonly 

 called gifliflowers, become expansive as they increase. They 

 should not be crowded together; three in a group are quite 

 sufficient, and they should be six inches apart. The same may 

 be said of the stock varieties. 



I have ever found the hardy annuals grow finest by allowing 

 them to become self-sown. They flower some weeks earlier, and 

 invariably produce larger and brighter flowers. 



"When gathering my flower seeds in August and September, I 

 allow one half to remain sprinkled over the borders ; and the 

 young plants never fail appearing healthy and strong above 

 ground in March and April, the months appropriated to sowing 

 the seed. Thus, my Lavateras, Larkspurs, &c, are in beautiful 

 blow, while the second crop, or seeds sown in spring, are but 

 showing their green heads above the surface. I weed away the 

 superfluous self-sown plants to my taste ; but the birds take care 

 that no one shall be encumbered with a superfluity. I have by 

 this means a first and second crop of the same annuals, but the 

 crop of self-sown are far superior. They are up before the heats 

 come on, to dry the earth, and dwindle the flower. 



Dig the ground well with your trowel, and rake it very fine, 

 before you put in the seeds in spring. Annuals love a light, 

 friable soil. All the hardy kinds may be sown in March, each 

 sort in little separate patches, as follows : — ■ 



Draw a little earth off the top to one side, then sprinkle in the 

 seed, not too plentifully, and cover it again with the drawn-off 

 earth. Half an inch is sufficient depth for small seed. The 

 larger kind, such as sweet-peas, lupins, &c, must be sown an 

 inch in depth. When the plants have been up some time, thin 

 them well. The more space you have, the finer the plants will 

 rise. 



The hardy annuals will not bear transplanting : they must be 



