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BIENNIALS. 
BIENNIALS. 
The importance of these plants in every garden, especially 
those in suburban situations, where, from the influence of dust 
and other causes, it is often difficult to cultivate any flowering 
plants, renders them deserving a passing notice, and as their 
character obliges the provision of the roots a whole year before 
we can expect the flowers, it may be well to remind those who 
desire to see such things as Hollyhocks, Canterbury Bells, Sweet 
Williams, and a host of other similar objects, ornamenting their 
borders next year, that no time should be lost in getting their 
favorite kinds sown. It is usual to sow these things at an earlier 
period, indeed it is a practice with some to begin their culture as 
soon as the month of April, but my experience goes to prove 
that the beginning of the present month is a preferable time, and 
thus two months’ attention is saved. At the same time I am 
fully aware of the advantage of having the plants properly esta¬ 
blished before the winter; the great difference between mine and 
the ordinary management is that I do not sow so thick as is usual, 
and consequently my plants never require to be transplanted till 
they are finally stationed in the borders, thus the time lost by the 
check attending the intermediate removal is saved, and the trouble 
obviated. I was led to this course by observing the plants re¬ 
sulting from self-distributed seed, being generally stronger, and 
in bloom quite as soon as those which had received the utmost 
attention; though the latter were frequently sown as much as ten 
weeks before the natural plants, and had been shifted twice into 
the best earth of the garden, and so invariable is the recurrence 
of this circumstance, that I am persuaded the transplanting is 
injurious rather than a benefit, and could it always be done, I 
should prefer sowing them where they are to bloom; but as this 
is not practicable at all times, it is in my opinion advisable to 
sprinkle the seed thinly on a warm border, and leave the plants 
till they are wanted in spring, deferring the removal even then to 
as late a period as may be prudent with regard to their season of 
blooming. 
An Amateur. 
