6 BARR & SUGDEN'S SPRING SEED CATALOGUE, 



:n[aris'oI(l. 



a. d. 



12 Superb Varieties 2 6 



12 „ „ smaller packets 1 g 



Petunias. 



1 2 Splendid Varieties 2 6 



12 „ „ smaller packets 1 6 



Plilos. Dramniondii. 



12 Extra-fine Selected Varieties 3 q 



6 „ „ 2 0 



Portulaca. 



10 Splendid Varieties 3 q 



10 „ „ smaller packets 2 0 



Salpig-lostsis. 



10 Superb Varieties, of the most beautiful colours 2 6 



10 „ „ „ smaller packets 1 6 



'tVallflowcr. 



10 Extra-fine Varieties, Double 3 6 



10 „ „ smaller packets 2 0 



ZINNIA ELEGANS. 



A grand genus of autumn-flowering plants, combining the greatest richness and diversity of 

 colour, with unequalled profusion and duration of bloom. Amongst the novelties introduced last 

 year, the " New Double Zinnia" has proved the most important acquisition, its splendid double 

 flowers rivalling in beauty, size, and form, moderate sized Dahlias. Our "Sardinian Corkespondbnt" 

 during the past summer has, in the exercise of his usual skill and good taste, chissitied and arranged 

 the flowers into twenty-four distinct colours, rejecting every imperfect and semi-double flower, so that 

 the seed we otfer may be relied upon producing from 80 to 90 per cent, of the most beautiful double 

 flowers. See engraving in the body of this volume. 



24 Splendid Double Varieties 0 15 0 



18 „ „ , 0 10 6 



12 „ „ „ 0 G 0 



6 „ „ „ 0 3 6 



ON TIIE PREPAKATION AND MANAGEMENT OF A HOT-BED FOR RAISING 

 SEEDLINGS, 



" Sow in heat — Sow in a hot-bed,'' are directions so comaionly to be found in the notices of h.-»lf- 

 hardy annuals, that we feel we shall be materially aiding those who are their own gardeners if we 

 give a few simple directions on the subject of a hot-bed, composed of stable maimre, the most 

 frequent and useful form in which it is to be found. 



Tlie 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 worked previous to being used. If 

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

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

 afterwards it should be completely turned, well 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 sulHcient ; when thus cleaned of its rankness 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 should be built up from two feet six inches to four feet high, and 

 wider by si.\ inches everyway than the frame to be ]>laced upon it. The dung should be well 

 shaken and mixed while being put together, and firmly pressed by the feet. The frame should bo 

 kept close until the heat rises, and three or four inches of sifted sand or ashes should be placed on 

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

 day while there is any danger from the rank steam, and if the sand or ashes are drawn away from 

 the side of the bed, they should be replaced. 



When the hot-bed is used for seeds only, nothing further is necessary ; they are to be so^vn 

 in pots, or pans, placed or plunged in the bed, the heat of which will soon cause them to germinate. 

 As this will, after some time, decline, what are called linings should be added, that is, fresh hot 

 fermenting (but not rank) dung api>lied about a foot in width all round the bed, this renews its 

 strength, and will greatly aid its successful management. 



