J. M. Thorburn & Co.'s Catalogue of Seeds. 



7i 



FLOWER SEEDS. 



PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR CULTURE, TREATMENT, ETC. 



HARDY ANNUALS (hA). — Sow in April or May, according to the latitude, in shallow boxes or pots 



placed in a warm window, a hotbed, or, if possible, in a 

 greenhouse. A second sowing ought to be made from two 

 to four weeks after, for a succession, as well as to provide 

 against failure the first time. For sowing seeds in, there 

 is nothing better than shallow boxes from two to three 

 inches deep, and of any convenient size. The most suit- 

 able soil in which to sow seeds of all the smaller kinds is 

 a very fine, rich, sandy loam ; if some fine charcoal can 

 be mixed with it, it will be beneficial. The soil from old 

 hotbeds is excellent, or sods from an old pasture, piled up 

 and allowed to rot for two or three years, and then mixed 

 with a little old stable manure and sand. The selection 

 of a proper soil in which to sow fine seeds is very im- 

 portant, as upon this depends the success or failure of 

 them. After the seeds are up, care must be taken to give 

 them plenty of air and moisture, and yet not too much 

 water, or they will "damp off." When the young plants 

 are well out of the seed leaf, they must be transplanted to 

 new boxes. If pots two inches or more in diameter can 

 be had, set out from three to a dozen or more of the young 

 seedlings around the edges of the pot, so that as soon as 

 the ground is warm enough they may be easily turned out 

 and planted singly, as by that time they will have made 

 good roots. Where the pots cannot be had, boxes, tin 

 cans, etc., may be substituted ; or a cheap and effective 

 plan is to take out the inside of a potato or turnip, leaving a shell half an inch thick. After filling these with the 

 compost above referred to, set out the seedlings in them, and place the whole in boxes, filling in the spaces 

 between the potatoes or turnips with soil. When the plants are ready to set in the open ground, it is an 

 easy matter to transplant them, and as the decay of the turnips or potatoes affords nourishment to the young 

 plants, a double purpose is served in using them. 



A common mistake in sowing flower as well as other seeds, is in covering too deep. As a general rule, 

 cover only to the depth of the thickness of the seeds, or with medium-sized seeds, like Balsams, Zinnias, etc., 

 a half an inch or so is none too much. Such fine seeds as Portulacas need only to be pressed into the soil with 

 a piece of board or the palm of the hand. Always press the earth down firmly after sowing all flower seeds, 

 else there is danger of their drying up before the roots can get firm hold of the soil. Seeds of the hardier 

 Annuals may be sown where they are to grow ; but as a rule, it is preferable to transplant, as the plants are 

 generally stronger and stand the drought better. During very dry weather, and when the seedlings are first 

 set out, they should be watered frequently. Provide some support for all such Annuals as require it, else the 

 plants become weak and straggling, and do not make the show they otherwise would. 



The weeds should be kept down and the ground loosened often, so that the plants will receive the full 

 benefit of the rains and dews, which they will not if the ground is allowed to become hard and baked. 



Seeds of Biennials and some Hardy Annuals may be sown in September in boxes, and placed in cold- 

 frames. They will make strong plants by spring, and come into flower early. Do not put on the sashes until 

 heavy rains and frost render this necessary, and then always remove during the day, and whenever the 

 temperature is above freezing in winter. 



HARDY BIENNIALS (hB) and PERENNIALS (hP).— These require the same treatment as the 

 Hardy Annuals. In addition to the above, both Hardy Biennials and Perennials may be sown in the open 

 border in September ; for if not sown until spring, the seeds of many Perennials require two years before 

 they germinate. In this case it is a good plan, at the commencement of frost, to cover them lightly with straw, 

 leaves, or any dry litter, in order to afford some protection from the extreme severity of the winter. As soon 

 as the frost is out in the spring, remove the covering and loosen the surface around the plants, which, when 

 large enough, may then be transplanted to the flower garden where they are to remain. 



MARGARET CARNATION. 



