CATALOGUE OF SEEDS. 



7 



and the application of very old decayed manure or leaf-mould, will give the ama- 

 teur a well-prepared and suitable soil. 



Where the soil is too light, a thin layer of clay, if to be had, should be spread 

 over the surface in the autumn, and dug in, after being pulverized by the winter 

 frosts, in the spring. This, with the use of old manure, — that which has lain a 

 year or more, and been frequently turned over till it becomes thoroughly decayed, 

 — will keep the garden in good condition. No unvarying rules can be given : 

 much must be left to the judgment of the amateur. He must understand that the 

 soil of a good garden should be deep, well pulverized, friable, and rich. 



When the flower-garden is to be a speciality, then more pains ought to be taken ; 

 and those who are about to do this, if they have not the requisite information, will 

 consult something more than a catalogue. Our hints are intended for the mass 

 of the people who love flowers, and do not wish to incur great expense in the 

 gratification of their taste. To the former class we recommend, amongst other 

 works published, Breck's " New Book of Flowers," Buist's " Flower-Garden 

 Directory," and Bridgeman's " Florists' Guide and Gardeners' Assistant." 



PERIOD FOR SOWING. 



This must depend much upon the season, as well as the locality. As a general 

 rule, the proper time to commence sowing is about the middle of April, though a 

 few sorts may be planted as soon as the ground can be got ready ; and, for a suc- 

 cession, the sowing should be continued until June. In the Southern States, of 

 course, January, February, or March will be the time to sow, as they correspond 

 with April, May, and June of the North. To avoid all danger of injury, the sow- 

 ing may be deferred till the last of April ; but, when a little labor is of no con- 

 sideration, the sowing may be made earlier, and, in case of failure or injury from 

 frost or wet, another sowing may be made when the weather is more favorable. 

 Because we recommend April, it is not to be understood the sowing must be made 

 at that time. If sown in any part of May, they will flower later, but abundantly, 

 throughout the latter part of summer. 



Too much pains cannot be given in preparing the soil previous to sowing. It 

 is the great error to cover too deep ; and the cause of more than half of the com- 

 plaints against seedmen of selling old and worthless seeds comes from inexperi- 

 ence or want of judgment in sowing. No rule can be given in this respect ; but, 

 as a general guide, all large seeds, such as Sweet Peas, Lupins, &c., may be sown 

 half an inch deep, — smaller, less ; and for the smallest, such as Clarkia, Pinks, 

 &c, a covering of one-sixteenth of an inch suffices. If sown too deep, they are 

 longer in germinating, and are liable to decay. Avoid the general error of sowing 

 the seeds too thick, as it causes an elongated and feeble growth, which no subse- 

 quent thinning will entirely remedy. 



As soon as the seedlings have made three or four leaves, and are an inch high, 

 they should be thinned out. If they are kinds which will bear removal, they may 

 be replanted in vacant spaces in the border. Tall-growing plants with spreading 

 branches will require more room than slender-growing dwarf kinds. Stir the soil 

 around the plants from time to time ; and, if they appear crowded, a second thin- 

 ning will be of great benefit to those that remain. If the growth is not strong, 

 from the nature of the soil, apply occasionally a very small amount of guano or 

 bone-dust. 



Transplanting should, if possible, always be done in cloudy weather, and to- 

 wards evening. If the soil is dry, the plants will require a light watering to 



