6 
CULTURE OF TtlE GENUS RESEDA- 
of Africa^ and although it is regularly grown as an annual, it will survive the winter 
if kept in the greenhouse, and flower again with great freedom in the spring if it 
be not allowed to seed. 
When grown in the open borders^ the seeds merely require sowing as recom- 
mended for hardy annuals in general, vol. i. p. 18 ; but if grown in pots to place 
in the house, the following directions may be necessary : — 
1. Times of Sowing. — With regard to this, all depends upon the time it is 
wished to have it in flower. If for blooming in January and February, the seed 
should be sown in the third week in August ; if to flower in March and April, sow 
the first week in September ; if for May and June, sow in February ; if for July, 
August, and September, sow the first in April ; if for October, November, and 
December, sow the last week in July. 
2. These five sowings require somewhat dififerent treatment, according to the 
season' when each sowing is made. 
3. August and September Sowings. — The two sowings for early flowering require 
considerable care, or they are liable to perish by mildew. 
4. The pots in which the seeds are sown should be plunged or placed in a frame, 
on a slight hotbed a foot and a half high, made of leaves or anything that will give 
a gentle heat for a short time. 
5. Give the frame a good elevation at the back ; fix it on a south aspect, and 
place the pots not more than a foot from the glass. 
6. Fill the pots with a mixture of three-fourths of light maiden loam, taken 
from the top spit of a pasture field, and one-fourth clean sand. 
7. Always give a good drainage, for any deficiency in this will invariably 
injure, if not destroy the crop. 
8. Keep the frame close shut down until the plants begin to make their appear- 
ance, then gradually expose them to the air, in fine weather, and as they advance I 
in growth, allow them as much air as possible when the weather is not frosty, but If 
carefully cover them with mats at night when the weather is severe. 
9. When the plants are half an inch high, thin them out, leaving eight or ten 
only in each pot. 
10. Water with caution, and never sufifer them to be exposed to rain, but allow 
the soil to become quite dry before any water be given, and then give it sparingly, 
always selecting a fine day for the purpose^ that the plants may have the benefit of 
a little air afterwards to dry their leaves. 
11. When about an inch and a half high, stop the leading shoot of each plant, 
to induce them to throw out side branches. 
12. February Sowing. — -These pots must be placed in a frame, as recommended 
for the last ; but they do not require so much caution with regard to watering, &c., 
because they derive more benefit from the sun than those sown in autumn ; and if 
plenty of air be admitted in fine weather, and they are safely preserved from frost, 
there is little danger of them perishing. These may also be exposed occasionally 
to gentle showers after the plants are an inch high. 
