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CULTIVATION OF ANNUALS. 
FLORICULTURE. 
ARTICLE IV.—ON THE CULTIVATION OF ANNUALS : 
To which is appended, a Select List of Hardy Bienniels and Perennials. 
BY JOS. PAXTON, F. L. S. H. S. 
All Annuals are raised from seeds, and are either hardy, —and may 
be sown in the open border; half-hardy —requiring to be sown on a 
bot-bed, and afterwards transplanted; or tender, —requiring to be kept 
during the summer in the green-house or stove. The first thrive 
well in any common light soil, with little attention, except keeping 
them free from weeds ; the second, require rather more care during 
their early growth, although afterwards they grow well in the same 
soil as the hardy ones; the third, want considerable attention all 
summer, the soil most suitable for them generally, is about two-thirds 
of light rich loam, and one-third of rotten dung or leaf-mould. 
Treatment of Hardy Annuals. —About the end of February or 
beginning of March, commence sowing the seeds after the following 
manner :—stir up the soil, and make it fine with the hand, if it be 
light; if not, with a small hand-hoe or fork; then -with the finger 
draw a circular drill, of about six inches diameter in the circle, and 
one inch or less deep, according to the size and habit of the plant 
intended to be sown; cover the seed lightly with moist soil, and place 
an inverted flower-pot over them (if convenient to do so,) allow the pot 
to remain until the seeds have begun to grow, then prop it on one 
side two or three inches high, until the plants are able to bear the 
weather, afterwards remove it altogether. Covering the seeds with a 
pot, answers several good purposes: 1st. it keeps the soil moist, un¬ 
til the seeds have vegetated; 2nd. the sun shining on the pot, cau¬ 
ses a reflection of considerable heat, and brings up the seeds much 
sooner, than under other circumstances; 3rd. it screens them from 
the spring frosts; 4th. it prevents the soil from being washed off 
the seeds, or the seeds themselves being washed away by heavy 
rains; and 5th. its preserves them from birds and mice. When the 
plants are about an inch high, they must be thinned out, according 
to the kind, that those remaining may be able to grow and flower 
strong; the height the plants grow, must also guide the person as to 
what part of the border they ought to occupy, which (where the se- 
