62 
ON THE TREATMENT OF ANNUALS. 
simple, even to induce them to develop their several properties in the most 
favourable manner, no course of management is required that is not in the power of 
every one to carry out. Indeed it is very probable that the circumstance of so little 
skill being required to produce with them results it will be our aim to show can be 
attained, is the main cause that has led to such results being disregarded or not 
understood. However, be that as it may, we have scarcely in a solitary instance 
met with them exhibiting the effects of proper usage ; consequently not displaying 
the capabilities well-directed management will develop. 
Setting out with the view that annuals under any circumstances cannot be 
dispensed with, or at least, that they are highly useful, and greatly conducive to the 
creation of ornamental effect among flowering plants ; and remembering the 
frequent number of instances in which the share they have in contributing to the 
display of floral beauty is not insignificant, but prominently obvious ; we will forth- 
with point out the prevailing errors conspicuously evident in too many instances 
where they are largely used. The blemish that in so great a degree detracts from 
the merits of some of our best annuals, is the shortness of time they remain really 
ornamental ; and that their doing so, or otherwise, is influenced in a very con- 
siderable manner by the treatment they experience in being raised, is indisputable. 
As in the flower-garden the usefulness of annuals is most sensibly felt to exist, 
we will first turn our attention to those there employed, and the kind of treatment 
applied to them. In selecting from among the numerous kinds the treatment of 
which to consider, in order to illustrate our position, we are almost at a loss ; how- 
ever, among the many beautiful things that force themselves upon our recollection, 
we may instance the lovely Nernoph ilia insignis, Phlox Drummondii , PJwdanthe 
Manglesii , &c., which few, we imagine, would like to be without. The first-men- 
tioned plant is often chosen, on account of its lovely appearance and low-growing 
neat habit, to occupy a bed, in which its long continuing to flower, and maintain a 
tidy appearance, is especially desirable. The ordinary effort to induce it to do so 
consists in sowing it in the situation it is intended to occupy, the period when the 
seed is committed to the ground being regulated according to the time the plants are 
wished to flower, in conjunction with well preparing the soil, to induce luxuriant 
growth. This last point, however, so far from being favourable to a lasting display of 
bloom, is in a great measure the reverse, from its tendency to induce the plant, by 
rapid growth, to hastily arrive at maturity ; which, when it has attained under such 
circumstances, only produces an insignificant display of bloom for a very brief 
period, and the energies of the plant are exhausted. This is very far from what 
ought and can be attained. 
What is wanted, and what the whole efforts of culturists should tend to, in 
reference to annuals, is the creation in them of a principle of existence akin to that 
in perennials ; and that, to a certain degree, the kind of treatment they are subjected 
to will produce it, we at once assert. In the instance of Nemophilla insignis , not- 
withstanding it is a plant when left to itself that endures for a very short time ; its 
