256 
THE FLOWER-GARDEN, [chap. viii. 
hole in the bottom of the pot admits enough 
light and air for germination. The flower¬ 
pot should, however, be removed as soon as 
the young plants appear above ground; 
as if kept on longer, the plants would be 
drawn up, and their stems would become so 
elongated, and consequently so weak, that 
they would never recover their strength or 
beauty. Flowering plants should always be 
kept dwarf and compact; not only on account 
of the superior neatness of their appearance, 
but because tall, ill-grown plants never pro¬ 
duce fine flowers. For this reason, as soon 
as annuals attain their second pair of leaves 
they should be thinned out; and again, when 
about a foot high, if necessary. As the 
plants grow they should be watered occa¬ 
sionally; and when of a proper height, staked 
and tied up, if of a kind to require support. 
As soon as the flowers fade they should be 
cut off; unless, as is sometimes the case, the 
plant has very ornamental seed pods, in 
which case they may be left on. It is seldom 
worth while for any lady to save her own 
seed ; but when she does so, the plants for 
that purpose should be grown in a back 
