26 dreer's garden calendar. 



Directions for the Sowing and Maoiagement of Flower Seeds. 



Provided the soil is in a proper state, flower seeds may be sown in the 

 epen border, in the months of April and May ; the best criterion is the 

 state of the soil. The seeds should be sown as soon as the soil becomes 

 dry and friable, after the spring frosts have disappeared. Care should 

 be taken not to sow in a crowded border, as light and air are indispensa- 

 ble. They may also be sown in prepared beds, to be transplanted to the 

 garden. The former is the more simple method, but not always satis- 

 factory, as, during the interval between the sowing of the seed and the 

 period of blooming, the ground occupied is not attractive. The changes 

 of climate, heavy rains and drying winds, with hot sun, render the 

 surface of the soil unfit for the germination of small seed. As to the 

 depth to which seeds should be covered, the best general rule is to cover 

 fine and light seeds very lightly, just enough to protect them from the 

 sun; and in extremely dry weather, a sprinkling of damp moss is very 

 useful. Several varieties are so tender as to require special attention, 

 such as the Calceolaria. 



■ Many annuals are very desirable for the green house, when sown in 

 August. Of these the most important are Sweet Alyssum, Candytuft, 

 Mignonette, Lobelia, Schizanthus, German Stocks, Browallia and several 

 others; these are for winter blooming. Many varieties, as well as the 

 above, may be sown later, for blooming early in spring, such as 

 Pansy, Ageratum, Antirrhinums, China Pink, Dianthus Heddewegii, 

 Laciniatus and Sinensis, Acroclinium Roseum, Linum Grandiflorum, 

 Mimulus, Myosotis, Petunias, Phlox Drummondii, Salpiglossis, Verbena, 

 &c. For sowing in pots, or seed-pans, 'the following directions will be 

 found suitable : 



The best soil is a mixture of equal parts of sand, leaf-mould and 

 loam, which should be thoroughly mixed ; then fill your pots or boxes to 

 within one-half inch of the rim ; press the soil firmly and evenly in the 

 pot, which can be done most conveniently with the bottom of an empty 

 flower-pot; then sow your seed evenly over the surface, and, with the 

 addition of a little more sand in the same soil, cover the seeds according 

 to their size, say from one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch, then press 

 the soil as before, even and firm, with the bottom of a flower-pot; water 

 sparingly, enough to keep the soil moist, avoiding either extreme. As 

 soon as the plants appear, they will require your careful attention, as 

 the least over-watering may cause them to "damp off," and suddenly 

 destroy all your hopes. They should now have as much sun as possible, 

 and when the weather is pleasant, some air may be admitted. As soon 

 as the plants are large enough to handle, pick them out of the seed-pot; 

 in other words, transplant them into another pot, placing them about 

 one inch apart; they must be shaded for a few days from the sun, until 

 they are established. When large enough, they can be planted sepa- 

 rately into small pots, and kept thus until the proper season for plant- 

 ing out in the garden. 



BIENNIALS. — These do not usually bloom until the second season 

 after sowing. They may be sown out of doors, at least those that are 

 hardy, while a few very desirable ones hail better be sown in pots. The 

 following are among the most desirable; ^Yall-flower, Foxglove, Pinks, 

 Sweet William, xlntirrhinum, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Canterbury Bell 

 and others. 



