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ti Wltxmm Seed SataX^gue. 7 U 



Another great object to be considered, is the soil into which flower seeds 

 are to be sown. The soil best adapted for flowering plants generally, is a 

 light, friable loam, containing a sufficient amount of sand to render it porous. 

 A great many varieties will live in almost any kind of soil, except it be 

 extremely dry, sandy or calcareous, or of a stiff, heavy character; still, to give 

 them ^ fair chance for developement, some little pains should be taken in add- 

 ing to the soil, as much as possible, what may be wanting in it. Deep digging 

 and enriching with thoroughly decayed manure, is the least that should be 

 done. If the weather, after sowing, should be dry, it will be necessary to 

 water the places where the seeds are sown, with a fine rose watering pot, reg- 

 ularly, but slightly, every evening, as it is essential that the seeds, during 

 their process of germination, should be kept constantly moist. From a neglect 

 or oversight of this, arise most of the failures. As the process of germination 

 is shorter or longer in the diff'erent kinds of seeds, the patience of the cultiva- 

 tor is often sorely tried with seeds of a slowly germinating character. The 

 patience of a devoted florist, however, never exhausts in these manipulations, 

 and the certainty of his final success, repays him fully for the little trouble. 



All flowers raised from seed, are usually known as Annuals, Biennials, or 

 Perennials. 



Annuals are those plants which flower and ripen their seeds or fruit ftie 

 season they are sown, and then perish. This class of plants is again dividi'd 

 by the cultivator into two classes — the hardy, and half-hardy or tender kinds. 



n^^m mwf^iB 



Are those which require no artificial heat at any period of their growt'i, eveiy 

 stage of their development, from germination to ripening of the seed, being 

 passed in the open ground. 



They are the most e isily cultivated of all plants; the number of their 

 varieties is large, and their flowers, when properly grown, are ft-equently of 

 most attractive beauty and elegance. It is only to be regretted that they are 

 not generally cultivated to that extent to which their merit justly entitles 

 them. The seed may be sown from the first of April till the middle of June, 

 along the border, in little patches four or six inches square, or in drills, on the 

 spot where they are wanted to blossom; and in doings ^o, care should be taken 

 to have the different varieties arranged in such a manner as to produce a 

 pleasing effect when they are in bloom. 



Are all those species which flower and ripen their seeds in the open air, but 

 need the assistance of artificial heat in ihe earlier stages of their growth. 

 They should be sown in a hot bed, or in pots in a green house, if one is avail- 

 able, or in a sunny window. Keep them well shaded, which will prevent 



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