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ON THE CULTIVATION OF ANNUALS. 
together, or otherwise, as might be the most convenient, they might very readily 
be protected with the greatest safety, by another invention of the same lady, called 
the et Bygrave Slug preventer.” It is a leaden gutter, a, b, an inch and a quarter 
broad, having a keel an inch and a half deep, and made in pieces of any desired 
length, which, when set completely round the hedges of a bed and staunted at the 
edges with soft solder, or putty, and filled with salt, forms a totally impassable 
barrier. When the article is used, either slices of turnip, or any other decoy, should 
be placed here and there on the ground inclosed, for the vermin to harbour under, 
from whence they ought every morning to be hand-picked and destroyed. Perse- 
vering thus for a few days, will completely clear the space within the boundary 
of salt ; and any delicate plants may be placed, or seeds sown, without any danger 
of being destroyed by this class of depredators. 
The plants introduced into the engraving are: — c, Sparaxis lineata. A bulbous 
plant, requiring a pit, or warm border of sandy loam and peat, and to be covered 
with a mat in case of frost. The flower is white, with a yellow throat, marked with 
brown ; each petal marked with a red line ; d, Vieusseuxia glaucopis. This is 
a native of the Cape of Good Hope, has delicate white flowers, with a bright blue, 
or rather purple eye, not unlike the spots on the tail of a peacock. It appears to 
thrive best in a sandy peat earth, and from the changeable climate we experience in 
this country, it will not prosper without some means of artificial heat, although it 
does not appear to enjoy the greenhouse ; but if planted on a vine border, close under 
the front wall of a stove, it will generally thrive and flower freely. The only means 
of propagation is by offsets ; the seeds with us very seldom ripening. 
ON THE CULTIVATION OF ANNUALS. 
All Annuals are raised from seeds, and are either hardy, and may be sown in the 
open border ; half-hardy , requiring to be sown on a hot-bed, and afterwards trans- 
planted ; or tender, requiring to be kept during the summer in the green-house, or 
stove. The first thrive well in any common light soil, with little attention, except 
keeping them free from weeds ; the second require rather more care during their 
early growth, although afterwards they grow well in the same soil as the hardy 
ones ; the third want considerable attention all summer, the soil most suitable for 
them generally, is about two-thirds of light rich loam, and one-third of rotten dung„ 
or leaf mould. 
Treatment of hardy annuals. — About the end of February, or beginning 
of March, commence sowing the seeds after the following manner : stir up the soil 
and make it fine with the hand, if it be light ; if not, with a small hand hoe, or 
fork, then with the finger draw a circular drill, of about six inches in diameter in 
the circle, and one inch or less deep, according to the size and habit of the plant 
