64 
ON THE TREATMENT OF ANNUALS. 
expected. To take hardy annuals generally, both the better and inferior kinds 
usually raised in the open ground, and whether to occupy beds or small groups on 
borders, the first point to which attention should be directed is the kind of soil to 
grow them in, and respecting which— making due allowance for the nature of the 
plants, as to their robust and luxuriant habit, or tenderness and delicacy — it should 
always incline to poverty rather than to a state of richness. Then as to the number 
of plants to be grown in a certain space, and the extent of room each of that number 
is allowed, there should in no case be more grown than the space will fully permit 
to develop their true character. For instance, trailing plants ought never to be 
allowed so to crowd together that they are forced to ascend, and in so doing clinging 
to each other for support, straggling beyond all bounds, and not only being wholly 
unengaging, but destroying each other. Plants of a shrubby character should not 
be permitted to grow in such thick masses, as that any of their parts suffer from 
want of freedom, exposure to light, air, &c. 
The way in which, in a bed of annuals, the plants are regulated and confined to 
a proper number is, by thinning them out from their first coming up ; and to confine 
them within due limits, the branches and shoots must be frequently stopped. This 
last practice by being extended to all the plants, and repeatedly carried out upon 
them, by shortening some of the branches of one, and all those of another ; con- 
junctively with removing many of the flowers from this, and wholly denuding that, 
from which, when they are taken, no blemish in the effect is discernible ; and 
pinching off every seed-vessel as soon as the bloom has fallen, is resorting to those 
practices which enable and cause annuals to continue growing and producing 
flowers, in degree, equal to perennials ; and, in many instances, to the same 
extent, for one season at least, to which they do. 
Among hardy annuals, there is no particular species alone, to which our remarks 
are applicable ; although we have instanced but one, those to which, in point of 
hardiness, continuance of flowering, &c, it is similar, equally with those quite 
dissimilar, are meant. 
A question naturally arising out of a consideration of this subject, and which we 
may refer to before we proceed, is the advantage of thick or thin sowing of seeds. 
We have in previous pages set forth the benefits accruing from the latter, and the 
ill effects of the former, and need not repeat them here. Of the superiority of 
thin-sowing, undeniable proof is often accidentally afforded by a self-sown seed ; 
which, in the case of Mignonette, or a less robust plant, is often met with in a very 
humble situation enjoying the advantages of its position, and luxuriating in a manner 
perfectly astonishing ; and, as compared with those seeds of its own kind imagined 
to be sown under every advantage, altogether incredible. 
Generally considered, however, it is difficult, if not impossible to practice thin 
sowing, particularly to a great extent. In sowing the seeds of hardy annuals, the 
benefits of the practice may be secured, but here it is necessary to guard against 
error ; enough seed should always be sown to ensure a sufficient number of plants 
