Illllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll SCHOOL GARDENS EIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH 
from absorbing the moisture from the soil, removing the glass when the 
plants are well advanced. 
Planting Seed of Hardy Annuals 
Hardy annuals are those varieties that germinate and grow more 
freely if planted quite early, as soon as the soil can be prepared, while 
it is yet moist and cool. In this class are included Alyssum, Baby’s 
Breath, Bachelor’s Button, California Poppy,* Calliopsis, China Pinks, 
Larkspur, Love-in-a-mist, Mignonette,* Petunias, Phlox, Poppy,* Sweet 
Peas,* Sweet William, Verbena. Those varieties marked with a star (*) 
should be planted where they are to bloom, as they cannot be successfully 
transplanted. 
Planting Flower Seed in Frames 
Many varieties will not germinate while the soil is cold and wet, but 
will perish if planted too early. And if left until later the hot sun and 
wind are liable to dry out the soil and the seed perish from lack of 
moisture. Most of the varieties not included in the hardy annual class 
will come under this class which requires more care in order to succeed. 
If the soil in the school garden is fine and mellow, and care is 
exercised in planting and watering, reasonably good success may be 
expected from planting direct in the garden plots, but as a rule it will 
be safer to plant in a frame, where they can be covered, and receive 
more careful attention. The frame may be of any size to suit the re¬ 
quirements, and should be made of inch boards about eight inches wide. 
If some old window sash is available, make the frame in size to suit the 
sash, otherwise the frame may be covered with light muslin, which will 
protect the tender plants from cold winds and rain, and at the same time 
allow sufficient light for the young plants. 
The soil should be dug and pulverized to the depth of a foot or more, 
and the surface made smooth and level. Mark out the rows 3 or 4 inches 
apart with the edge of a plastering lath, or thin board, drawing it back 
and forth until the right depth is attained. Sow the seed regularly in 
the rows, with the thumb and first finger, marking each row with a label 
or stake. This may be done by using the numbers as they appear on 
our order blanks. Cover only about a quarter inch deep, and the finer 
seed, like petunia, do not cover but press down with the open hand. 
After all are planted it is a good plan to cover the surface with a piece 
of old carpet, or several thicknesses of paper to hold the moisture, re¬ 
moving same as soon as the plants begin to appear, which will be in four 
or five days. 
Transplanting 
As soon as the plants are 3 or 4 inches high, select a cloudy day 
after a soaking rain, and transplant all plants from the frame to the 
garden where they are to bloom. Most varieties are very easily trans¬ 
planted, if ordinary care is used in lifting the plants so as not to destroy 
the roots. They should be planted a little deeper than they grew in the 
frame, and the soil pressed down firmly around each plant. If the sun 
is shining the plants may be shaded for a day or two. You will usuabv 
have more plants from each penny packet of seed than you can use; 
which should be distributed among those who are less fortunate. 
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