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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



attempted now, while the custom of attaching names to varieties has practically become 

 obsolete. When it is desired to increase any particular variety, the flower stems should 

 be cut as soon as the blooms fade, and the plants grown either in pots or planted out 

 in a cool, moist, shaded position outdoors, then strong suckers will soon be produced. 



The present method of providing gorgeous displays of calceolarias is to treat the 

 plants as biennials, that is, raising them from seed one year for flowering the next, and 

 then throwing the plants away. A packet of seed from a reliable source will not only 

 give hundreds of plants, but also beautiful varieties, only very few being inferior if the 

 seed is saved from a "good strain." Moreover, plants can be had from one sowing that 

 will flower from the beginning of May till the end of June, and therefore sowing early 

 and frequently, at intervals, is a mistake. 



A point to be remembered in raising and growing these plants is that they are most 

 impatient of heat. Plants raised early in summer usually become stunted and fall a 

 prey to insects. The first or second week in August is a good time for sowing, and cold 

 frames or hand-lights in a cool, damp, shady spot, on the north side of a high wall, is 

 the best position for the pans after the seeds are sown. 



It is of the greatest importance that the soil in the pans be kept constantly moist 

 without the necessity for frequently watering it, also that worms be excluded from the 

 soil and slugs from the seedlings. Either distribute salt or newly slaked lime on the 

 intended site, and on this spread a good layer of ashes for the frame or hand-light. For 

 the seeds prepare either well-drained deep pans or G-inch pots, by filling with a mixture 

 of fine sandy loam and leaf soil free from insects or grubs, making this rather firm, also 

 perfectly level and smooth. Give a gentle yet thorough watering, and in the course of 

 four or five hours afterwards, distribute the seeds evenly and thinly on the surface, very 

 lightly covering with fine sand, and press down again. Cover each pan or pot with a 

 square of glass and paper to darken it, and close the lights or sashes. The seed will 

 germinate the most surely if the soil is kept uniformly moist without having to resort 

 to watering it, and hence the wisdom of keeping the ashes moist on which the pans or 

 pots are placed. If they must be raised above the ashes to keep out the worms, stand 

 the pots in saucers of water. Still, if by chance the soil show signs of dryness, hold the 

 pots in a pail of water till the moisture rises to the surface, and the very minute seeds 

 will not be disturbed. 



Directly the seedlings appear, remove the paper shading, also lightly tilt the squares 

 of glass during the nights only at first. A few days later the glass may be dispensed 



