THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



the ground occupied by thinly-planted fuchsias, 

 heliotropes, gladioli, roses, and the like. Either 

 sow the seed thinly early in April, where the 

 plants are to flower, or in 2^-inch pots, and plant 

 out during May. Avoid crowding mignonette, 

 one good plant easily surpassing three or four 

 crowded together. 



Mimulus. — Strains of spotted miniulus are very beau- 

 tiful during the early part of the summer, but 

 they are liable to fail in July, and ought to be 

 either interspersed among verbenas or other trail- 

 ing plants, these occupying the whole of the 

 ground by the time the mimulus are over, or else 

 be succeeded by chrysanthemums. Sow in March 

 in pans of light soil, and gentle heat. Place 

 singly in 2A-inch pots, duly harden, and plant 

 out late in May. 



Musk (Mimulus moschatus). — The common musk and 

 the new compact form are suitable for edging beds, 

 mixing well with dwarf lobelia. Sow the seed in 

 heat during March, and move small patches of 

 seedlings out of the pans into thumb pots. Grow 

 in cold frames, and bed out in May. 



Nasturtiums (Tropteolums). — The Tom Thumb and 

 other dwarf, compact varieties can be had in 

 separate colours or in mixture, and if grown in 

 firm ground, also given adequate room, they will 

 develop into handsome plants, and flower pro- 

 fusely in either wet or dry weather. Sow in April 

 where the plants are to flower, or raise the 

 required number in small pots, and plant out late 

 in May or early in June. 



Nkmesia steumosa Suttont.— A comparatively new 

 annual, producing wallflower-like heads of bloom 

 all the summer : height 9 inches ; colours, white, 

 pale yellow, crimson, and intermediate shades. 

 Looks well massed in the centre of small beds 

 edged with dwarf blue lobelia. Sow the seed and 

 treat the plants exactly as advised for asters, and 

 plant out 6 to 9 inches asunder. 



Nicotiana affinis. — This sweet-scented tobacco 

 grows to a height of 3 feet, and produces large 

 pure white flowers till late in the season. It is 

 good for the back lines in borders and for mixed 

 beds. Sow the seed on the surface of pans of 

 light soil, covering very lightly with fine soil or 

 not at all, and otherwise treat similarly to lobelias. 

 The plants move well out of boxes, and thrive in 

 common soil. The flowers close under the influ- 

 ence of hot sun, and ex2)and in the evening. 



Pansies. — The Peacock, Cliveden purple, yellow, and 

 white, also other strains of pansies, come true 

 from seed, and bed out admirably. For a summer 



display sow the seed in March, in pans, and 

 gentle heat. Prick out the seedlings in boxes of 

 rich soil, grow in frames, harden, and bed out 

 early. Treat similarly to violas, see page 213. 

 Pansies raised by sowing thinly in July or 

 August, and transplanted early a foot apart in 

 the open ground, often pass the winter, and flower 

 early the following year. 



Pentstemons. — As pointed out on page 212, pent- 

 stemons are well adapted for summer bedding, 

 and fully deserve to become popular. Raise the 

 plants early in the same manner as antirrhinums, 

 and, if strong when put out in May, a good dis- 

 play will be had the same season. They could be 

 dotted among mignonette, small white begonias, 

 musk, white alyssum, and such-like plants, with 

 good effect. They may also be raised in the 

 autumn, as advised for lobelias. 



Petunias. — For poor soils and hot positions, includ- 

 ing sloping banks and borders, single petunias 

 from seed are strongly recommended. They 

 also associate well with white and yellow mar- 

 guerites, planted thinly among them. Sow the 

 seed and treat the seedlings similarly to ageratums. 

 They move best out of small pots. Seeds may 

 also be sown in the autumn, and the plants win- 

 tered on a greenhouse shelf. 



Phlox Dkummondi. — There are grand strains of 

 these charming half-hardy annuals. Seed of 

 separate colours can be had, or good mixtures 

 may be sown. The plants are of a trailing habit 

 of growth, and to be seen at their best in well- 

 drained, sunny, open beds, not overshadowed by 

 other plants. Sow the seed in March, and treat 

 similarly to Dianthus chinensis. 



Poppies. — Beds are sometimes filled with the Shirley 

 strain of poppies, and while they last are very 

 gay. Seed can be sown early in April, thinly, 

 where the plants are to flower, and these may re- 

 quire to be thinned out early and severely. Crowd- 

 ing spoils them. They may also be raised under 

 glass, and planted out of small pots. Chrysan- 

 themums or asters form a good succession, and 

 shoidd be planted directly the poppies cease to 

 be attractive. 



Poetulaca. —Double and single flowered forms of 

 portulaca are suitable for bedding out in hot, dry 

 positions and light soil, or where many kinds of 

 plants other than those of a succulent nature are 

 apt to fail. They are of dwarf-spreading habit, 

 height 3 to 6 inches, colour's various. Sow in 

 March, either in small pots or pans ; in the latter 

 case subsequently placing the seedlings in small 



