155 
it sometimes by a superabundance of moisture in the air, 
t can sometimes be checked by removing carefully with a 
pointed stick all the diseased plants and sprinkling among the 
emainder a little charcoal or dry sand, at the same time les- 
ening the supply of water, or removing the pot to a drier posi- 
ion, "but the safest thing to do as soon as if commences is to 
wick them off at once into another pot using the same soil as ad- 
ised for seeds. 
Annuals. 
Few plants grow so easil\ T and quickly or make more show 
.vhen in flowers than annuals, but much disappointment (and 
ometimes unnecessary expense) is experienced when unsuitable 
kinds of seeds are obtained as is often the case with beginners. 
None of the “collections ” advertised by the seedsman either in 
.ndia or England, and of which many residents here have had 
ome experience, are quite what is wanted for this climate, 
"hey generally include Mignonette, Stocks, and a number of 
hings that are useless here. 
After having tried pretty well everything that is likely to 
cceed satisfactorily, 1 recommend the following as the easiest 
o grow, and the range of forms and colours is practically un- 
mite d : — Balsams, Rose-flowered and Camellia- flowered ; Dian- 
-us chine* sis, in its various forms and colours, both single and 
rouble ; C ^psis Drummondii, C. coronata, C. tinctoria ; Celo- 
sia, especially he feathered kinds ; Gaillardias, one of the best 
things possible r cutting ; Marigolds, French and African 
varieties ; Phlox . mmondii, in a great variety of colours and 
forms ; Sun-flower. / both the tall growing kind and the minia- 
ture ; Torenias, Zinnias, Petunias and Verbenas. The last two 
o not grow so easily as the others, except during the dry season 
den they do fairly well. All these may be grown either in pots 
in beds, or both. Most of them may be had in flower during 
e whole year, but to keep up the standard, fresh seeds, must be 
ported pretty often as they degenerate rapidly. Seeds keep 
y badly in this climate and should be sown as soon as possible 
alter arrival unless, as should always be the case, they are in 
hermetically sealed tins when they should not be opened until 
required for sowing. 
Although many may be sown at any time, November and >e- 
. mber are the best months as they then come in flower -ring 
months when there is least rain and consequently last much 
longer. The directions already given as regards preparation of 
soii pot, sowing seeds, &c., are applicable generally to all these. 
The main point to be observed is to grow them in the full sun. 
From the hour they appear above ground plenty of sunlight is 
absolutely necessary. If kept in the shade for only a few days 
1 e plant becomes long and weak and practically spoilt. 
There appears to be a pretty general idea among amateurs that 
plants belonging naturally to a colder climate should be placed 
under a tree or in some similar place because it is cooler, but 
i* 
