8 
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FLOWERS. 
annuals may be sown in the open air from about the 
middle of March to the end of April, and even May. 
The spots in which the plants are to bloom having 
been selected, the surface of the ground should be 
prepared and made firm, and a little fine sandy soil 
placed on it for the reception of the seeds. These 
should be sown very thinly, not only from economic 
reasons, but also because the young plants will have 
more room to develop. After sowing they should be 
covered with a thin layer of finely-sifted soil, and a label 
bearing the name should be stuck in to mark the spot. 
Large seeds, like those of Lupins, Sweet Peas, &c., 
may be covered with an inch or more of soil ; but very 
small seeds should have only a faint sprinkling of soil 
upon them, and the soil on which they are to be sown 
should be made correspondingly fine and firm. Other- 
wise they drop down the crevices, which are chasms 
to them in proportion to their diameter, and are never 
able to reach the light. Hence the “ failures ” with 
many seeds. When the young plants are large enough 
to handle easily, they should be thinned out, 6, 9, 12, 
or 18 inches apart, according to their nature. Those 
left will thus receive more air and light, and conse- 
quently develop into fine sturdy specimens. In most 
cases the plants taken out may be transferred to other 
spots if necessary. To secure the best effects, annuals 
should always be grown in bold masses or groups, 
instead of dotting a single plant about here and there. 
Half-Hardy Annuals. — These are plants too tender 
to be sown in the open ground as early as their 
hardier brethren. If sown later they would not come 
into blossom probably until the early winter frosts 
