THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



flowering somewhat earlier. A packet of seed of 

 either kind should contain a considerable number 

 of varieties, all more or less showy. New seed 

 sown directly it is ripe, in the open, germinates 

 the most surely and strongly in uniformly moist 

 soil. If the soil is of a somewhat heavy nature, 

 add leaf mould, freely forking this into the 

 surface. After all has been made fine, smooth, 

 and level, give a gentle yet liberal watering, and 

 soon after sow the seed thinly broadcast covering 

 half-inch deep with light sifted soil. Shade in 

 bright weather and keep the soil constantly 

 moist. The seedlings may not be large enough 

 to transplant the same season, and can safely be 



left where they are. In the following spring 

 dibble them 6 inches apart in rows from 10 to 12 

 inches asunder in a cool border, and without 

 much further attention they will develop into 

 fine plants for the beds when these are ready 

 for them in the autumn. 



Primroses and polyanthuses can also be obtained 

 in quantity by sowing seed in February or March, 

 and if kept steadily growing will attain to a 

 flowering size by the autumn ; whereas, if the seed 

 is sown a month later or if a serious check is 

 given to the progress of those earlier raised, very 

 few of them will reach a serviceable size the same 

 year. Sow the seed in pans of light soil, place ia 



Fig. 92. Seedling Wallflowers. 

 a, Plants raised too thickly and spoiled ; b, spindled plants drawn from the rows ; c, unsatisfactory result. 



gentle heat and keep darkened and constantly 

 moist till it germinates. The seedlings will grow 

 slowly and must not be forced. Directly they are 

 large enough to handle, prick them out in other 

 boxes of good loamy soil, and at distances 

 previously advised; in June transplant in a cool, 

 open border. If properly attended to they will 

 become neat plants, the strongest of them being 

 fit for the flower-garden in the autumn, and all 

 would be extra fine for the following season. 

 Stocks. — The East Lothian, Brompton, and Queen 

 types of stocks can all be had in great beauty in 

 the spring, but, unfortunately, the majority suc- 

 cumb to severe frost. A few or many of them 



ought to be grown in most gardens, and they well 

 repay for all the trouble taken with them. In- 

 stead of coddling the seedlings under glass, sow 

 in the open very thinly towards the end of May. 

 When the plants are 2 inches high transplant 

 them 6 inches apart. Shade from strong sunshine 

 till they are rooted afresh, and keep the soil 

 moist. By the middle of September they ought 

 to be touching each other all round, at which time 

 every other plant should be lifted and placed 

 singly in 5-inch or 6-inch pots, using moderately 

 rich loamy soil, potting firmly, and placing them 

 in a cool shady position to recover from the check 

 of removal. They should be wintered in cold 



