&mateur Cultivator's ^utde. 



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Summer ^Ioroer-(3>curb<m 



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CONTAINING 



BRIEF DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF ANNUA" 

 PERENNIAL FLOWER-SEEDS. 



BIENNIAL, AND 



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NNUAL flowers arc not only among the most beautiful ornaments of 

 the summer flower-garden, but the ease with which they are culti- 

 vated, and the long time they remain in bloom, give them the 

 highest claim to our attention and care. Without them, however 

 much we may admire the various showy bedding-plants, a continu- 

 ous and uninterrupted display of flowers, from spring till frost, 

 cannot well be obtained ; and when we add the charm of novelty, and 

 the still greater one of variety, we have only enumerated a few of 

 the claims of these most desirable and effective ornuinents of the 

 gardens of" the million." 

 In consequence of their simple culture, and the small amount of trouble they give to 

 the amateur, as well as their comparative inexpensiveness for their rich array of beauty, 

 they are yearly becoming more generally grown. Hedding-plants are charming objects; 

 but' the vcarlv propagation required for geraniums, verbenas, &c, the labor of potting and 

 watering, ami the expense of wintering them, are not within every one's means; but a few 

 dollars expended in seed«, and a little pleasant labor in the sunnv days of early spring, will 

 give an amount of real enjoyment beyond belief. The most desolate garden may be made a 

 scene of beautv in scarcely more than a mouth's time. Annuals are not what they were in 

 former days. The skill of the hybridizer in the production of new varieties, and the diligence 

 of the enthusiastic florist In the selection of the finest plants, have entirely changed the 

 character of manv of the*e flowers; and, if to this we add the new acquisitions from Japan, 

 how could we we'll make up a summer-garden without them? What should we do without 

 the grand Preony-flowered Asters, the brilliant double Zinnias, the boldly-marked and rich- 

 colored Petunias, the Double Portulacas, — like miniature roses, — the Heddewiggi Pink, 

 the Tropieolum, &C. ? These give an entire new feature to our annuals, to be cherished by 

 everv lover of beautiful flowers. 



We therefore make no apology for giving a few brief hints on the cultivation of these, as 

 well as some of the biennials and perennials, equally important in the decoration of the 

 fewer- border. 



ANNUALS. 



Aming flr-r'"*" gardeners, the term " annual " is given to those plants which are 

 sown in the spring, oloom and seed in the summer, and soon afterwards perish. A few are 

 included among annuals, like the Marvel of Peru, &c , because they flower the first year; 

 hut they are only annual as regards treatment. By cultivator they have been divided into 

 tliree classes; viz., March), Unlf-lhn-dy, and Tender Aunuals, — a very convenient classifica- 

 tion ; and as s llc h we shall treat of them here. 



HARDY ANNUALS. 



Tne«e are so called because they do not require any artificial heat at any period of their 

 growth, and are capable of enduring any ordinary weather from April to November; a 

 frosty morning, not unusual in the former month, or even in May, doing them no injury, if 

 advanced beyond the seed-leaf. Many of them may be sown in Autumn; and the young 

 plants will m ike their appearance early in spring, and flower stronger than when it is 

 deferred till April. 



The Soil and Its Preparation.— The best soil for annuals, and indeed for most flower- 

 ing plants, whether biennials or perennials, is a light, rich loam, neither too sandy nor too stiff. 



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