The Cultivation of Flowers 
169 
soil being then firmed. If this be done, the plants com- 
mence to grow as soon as watering takes place, and are 
not checked to any great extent. When the seedlings 
have taken 
thoroughly to 
the soil they 
should gradu- 
ally be ex- 
posed, and 
moreair given, 
increasing this 
on all favour- 
able occa- 
sions until the 
plants become 
quite hard- 
ened. Plant- 
ing out may 
be commenced 
about the 
middle of May, 
selecting dull, 
showery wea- 
ther if pos- 
sible. The SOll Petunia, single 
should be thor- 
oughly dug or trenched, and manured, to allow the roots 
to ramify easily in search of food and moisture. If it is 
trenched or deeply dug it will also hold more moisture, 
consequently the plants will not suffer very much if the 
weather continues dry. It also enables the roots to get 
