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A CORSISH GARDEN. 



BIENNIAL FLOWERS. 



THE biennial flowers are the glory of the garden in the summer months, and beautify, 

 too, the cottage plot, tor in this precious group are the Sweet Williams, 

 Canterbury Bells, Wallflowers, and many homely flowers we knew in childhood's 

 days. It is strange, but nevertheless true, that this race, hardy, very easily 

 grown, and brilliant in effect, should receive less attention than many plants that 

 need far more care. They may be raised from first to last without any artificial 

 heat whatever, the best times to sow the seed being May and early June, when the 

 seedlings will be of sufficient size to plant out in the autumn to tlower the following year. 

 Choose a quiet corner for seed sowing, or reserve a portion of the garden for this purpose alone, 

 making, indeed, a little nursery, as then they can receive more attention than would be 

 possible if muddled up with other things. Make the surface of the soil fine, and beware of 

 snails and slugs, which have a fondness for juicy seedlings. Sow thinly, and as the seedlings 

 appear, if there is any risk of undue struggling for life, thin them out without thought of waste, 

 as the thinnings if necessary may be planted elsewhere, in the reserve garden for example, as 

 many biennial flowers are useful for cutting — the Stocks, Wallflowers, and Sweet Williams. 



Antirrhinums. — These old-world flowers may be grouped 

 with the biennials, although strictly they are perennial, 

 but many plants, even so-called annuals, will survive more 

 than one season. Seed may be sown under glass in 

 spring, and the plants will bloom freely in the summer 

 and far into the autumn, but the usual time for sowing is 

 latejune or July, treating the seedlings as advised in the 

 case of the other biennials. Antirrhinums, or Snap- 

 dragons as the children call them, are splendid bedding 

 plants, and if any special kind must be perpetuated, 

 cuttings of fairly-ripened shoots strike freely under a hand- 

 glass in the open in summer. Most enjoyab'e are a group ol 

 sell-coloured varieties^ the pure white, deep yellow, 

 or crimson — three kinds which will gladden any garden. 



There are several named kinds, but these three colours 

 should be obtained, as the striped forms, quixotic and 

 distinctive, it is true, are far less effective. Avoid pigmy 

 kinds, "squat,"' ugly little plants with spikes crushed 

 upon the growth. The-,e are called "Tom Thumb," and 

 are an example of how utterly all natural beauty may be 

 driven from .1 flower by artificial means. Antirrhinums 

 are easily raised from seed sown as soon as ripe, 

 01 by cuttings out of doors or in a cold frame in 

 August. Seedlings cannot be depended upon to 

 come quite true from seed. It is wise to keep the 

 plants in a frame during the winter and transfer to 

 the open giound in spring. They suffer greatly in 

 severe winters. 



