84 BARR & SUGDEN'S SPRING 1§EED CATALOGUE, 



Per Pkt. 



graphed grovi^ of Double Zinnia flowers, the smallest of which, he informs us, was 3J inches «• 

 deej), and 11 inches in circimifercnee; another had 586 petals ; one of the flowers is beautifully 

 reflcxed. In all respects the group proves our engx-aving to be faithful, and we may add, this 

 is the class of flowers from which the seed we offer has been saved. The Photograph may be 

 seen at our establishment. We recommend the seed being sown early in March, so as to have 

 strong stocky plants to put out in June ; they should be planted in the richest soil and tlie 

 warmest situation possible. For flower-beds, borders, and conservatory decoration, the Double 

 Zinnia is alike valuable. Half-hardy annuals. 



2397 Zin'nia el'egans, fl. pi., mixed, saved from splendid double flowers, 1^ ft. For collec- 



tions of distinct colours see page 8 0 G 



2398 „ „ „ carmine, bronze, lilac, magenta, purple, violet, red, scarlet and 



violet, one packet each of the eight varieties 2 0 



2399 „ „ coccin'ea, single, scarlet, 1 ^ ft ^ . . 0 3 



2400 ,, „ purpu'rea, single, /3Mr/^/e, Ir^ ft 0 3 



2401 „ ,, choice mixed from twenty splendid single varieties, I J ft 0 4 



2402 „ „• fine mixed, U ft 0 3 



2403 „ gigan'tea, rose, a strong growing free-flowering bushy variety, said to grow 



8 ft. high 1 



2404 „ Mexica'na, yellow, flushed with orange up to the centre of each petal, habit 



dwarf, bushy, and free-flowering ; an exceedingly valuable plant for flower 



beds, edgings, and borders, 1 ft., from Mexico 0 C 



ZI'ZYPIIUS, Nat. Ord. Rhamna'cefe. 

 Pretty, fruit-bearing, greenhouse evergreen shrubs, Avith extremely graceful foliage; 

 succeed best in sandy peat and loam. 



2405 Zi'zyphus Juju'ba, purple and green, 6 ft., from E. Indies 0 4 



2406 „ sati'va, large hemes and graccfid drooping foliage, 5 ft 0 C 



How to Raise Pelargonium Plants from Seed, and afterwards to Cultivate them 

 • Successfully. 



The seed shouU ba^own in heat, early in March, or as soon after as possible, in wide shallow 

 pans, well drained, the compost to be liglit and rich, composed of leaf mould, a little loam, and a 

 fair proportion of silver sand, to be all passed througli a tolerably fine sieve. Fill the pans to within 

 an inch of the top, and carefully smooth the surface ; then, having cut off the feather from the end 

 of the seeds, insert them, Avith that end u))wards, at equal distances from each other, this plan 

 ansAvcring better than laying them on the surface. They sho«fld be covered a quarter of an inch 

 with the same compost, flnely sifted. 



As soon as the plants appear, the pans should be transfeiTed to the greenhouse, placed as near 

 the glass as possible, and Avatcred moderately Avith a fine syringe ; Avhen they have made their second 

 leaf, they may be potted olf singly into forty-eight pots, in a compost of equal parts of loam and leaf 

 mould, Avith the addition of silver sand, and shaded from bright sunshine ; when they have filled the 

 pots Avith roots, let them be repotted, and kept close to the glass; air should be given abundantly, 

 and Avhen the AAcather is favourable, they niaA^^e placed out of doors, in an airy situation, on a thick 

 bed of coal ashes. Leave them there during the summer, and replace them in the greenhouse Avhcn 

 there is any fear of frost. Be careful not to oA-er-pot them, the object being not to obtain large 

 plants, but to bring them into flower soon. 



HOT-BED : Its Preparation and Management for Raising Seedlings. 



*' Sow in heat — Soav in a hot-bed," arc directions so commonly to be found in the cultural notices 

 of half-hardy annuals, that avc feel avc shall be materially aiding those who are their own gardeners 

 if w'e give a fcAv simple directions on the subject of a hot-bed, composed of stable manure, the 

 most frequent and useful form in Avhich it is to be found. |pr 



The Preparation of the Dung is a matter of great importance, and if the bed be expected to 

 retain its usefulness for any length of time it should be well Avorked previous to being used. If 

 obtained fresh from the stable-yard, and found to be too dry, it should be Avell watered, and thrown 

 lightly together to ferment ; this will take place in the course of a few days, and three or four days 

 afterAvards it should be completely turned, Avell shaken and mixed, keeping the more littery portion 

 to the interior of the heap ; a second turning and watering may be necessary, although one will be 

 generally found to be sufficient ; when thus cleaned of its rankncss the bed may be made. 



The situation for this should be dry underneath, sheltered from the north as much as possible, 

 ^ and fully exposed to the sun ; it shouhl be Imilt up from two feet six inches to four feet high, and 

 } wider by six inches every way than the frame to be placed upon it. The dung should be Avell 

 i shaken and mixed AA'hile being put together, and firmly pressed by the feet. The frame should be 

 I kept close until the heat rises, Avhen three or four inclies of sifted sand or ashes should be placed on 

 the surface of the bed ; in a few days it Avill be ready for use ; but air should be given night and 

 \ day Avhile there is any danger from the rank steam, and if the sand or ashes get away from the side 

 of the bed, they should be pressed back so as to keep doAvn the rank steam. 



When the hot-bed is used for seeds only, they are to be sown in pots, or pans, placed or plunged 

 in the sand or ashes, the heat of Avhich Avill so(m cause them to germinate. As the heat will, after 

 some time, decline, what are called linings should be added, that is, fresh hot fern)enting dung 

 applied about a foot in width all round tlie bed ; this rencAVS the warmth; and Avill greatly aid its 

 X successful management. 



X 



