DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



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Are those which require no artificial heat at any period of their growth, every 

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

 passed in the open ground. 



They are the most easily cultivated of all plants ; the number of their vari- 

 eties is large, and their flowers, when properly grown, are frequently 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 entitle 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 v/here 

 they are wanted to blossom ; and in doing so, care should be taken to have the 

 different varieties arranged in such a manner as to produce a pleasing effect 

 when they are in tljom. 



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

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

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

 in a sunny window. Keep them well shaded, which will prevent absorption by 

 the rays of the sun, and the consequent necessity of frequent watering, which 

 bakes the soil, and does much mischief to seeds of slow growth. Toward the 

 middle or end of May, many of the seedlings will be ready for transplanting to 

 borders ; but previous to this exposure, it will be necessary to harden them, pre- 

 paratory to removal, by gradually admitting air to the frame both day and night. 



Biennials are those plants that do not generally flower the first year, and 

 are only in perfection one season. Perennials continue to flower several years 

 in succession. The seed may be sown, as has already been stated, at times 

 when the ground is moist, but not very wet, from the first of April to August. 

 Many of them may be raised in the open ground like hardy annuals, and trans- 

 planted ; but tender, or half-hardy kinds, should be sown as directed for half- 

 hardy annuals. As they do not generally bloom the first year, they may be 

 thinned out or removed from the seed-beds as soon as they are well rooted, and 

 planted either into different parts of the garden, or into nursery beds, in rows, a 

 foot apart. The half-hai-dy or tender biennials must be kept during the winter, 

 in a green-house or dry cellar, and tender perennials must be protected from 

 frost, by a cloth or mat being tied or fastened around them, and covered after- 

 ward with leaves or litter. 



Are printed on the different seed packages, still, to render success more certain, 

 a careful observance of the above directions, which are based on the practical 

 experience of growers, will be found of great benefit to inexperienced florists. 



