CULTIVATION OF ANNUALS. 
Ill 
lection is choice,) may be known by referring to page 30, of the present 
Volume. If sown successively through the summer, there will he a 
constant supply of flowers, till the autumnal frosts kill them; in mild 
winters, they may he kept till towards Christmas. Staking, tying, 
and occasionally stirring the soil, and in dry summers gently water¬ 
ing in an evening, is then all that is necessary. 
Treatment of Half-hardy Annuals .—These require to he raised 
on a hot-hed; and when an inch or two high, transplanted either in 
pots or otherwise, as most convenient. When there is only the pri¬ 
vilege of one frame, we should recommend a re-perusal of our “re¬ 
marks on the uses of a two light frame,” vol. 1, page 578, where we 
stated, that “in February, the camellias and other plants might he 
removed from it, to the situations most convenient for them to flower, 
and a bed might he made for the growth of potatoes, raddishes, &c. 
&c.” and by the beginning of March, another for the growth of cu¬ 
cumbers : if, however, flowers are preferred to cucumbers, we should 
recommend, that in the beginning of March, the frame be removed 
from the potatoe bed, and another bed prepared of the proper dimen¬ 
sions, about two feet thick in front, and two feet six inches at the 
back ; beat it down pretty level with a fork, but do not trample it, 
set on the frame, cover it with lights, and allow it to stand three 
days to settle; then level it properly, and lay on about four inches 
thick of soil, composed of two-thirds of light sandy loam, and one- 
third of leaf-mould, well beaten together, but not sifted ; rake the 
surface smooth and level, and with the hand draw some shallow drills 
about three inches apart; then thinly scatter the seeds of each sort 
in the drills, and-cover them lightly over with some fine sifted soil, 
being cautious not to cover them too deep, or they will be liable to 
perish. As it is probable, the quantity of seed sown may not occu¬ 
py all the frame, the remainder may have pans of small salading, &c. 
as recommended Vol. 1, page 578, for nothing permanent can be 
planted, as in about three weeks, the whole will probably be wanted 
for transplantation. As soon as the seedling plants are an inch, or 
an inch and a half high, commence transplanting them about two 
inches apart, each sort by itself, beginning at that end of the frame 
previously unoccupied by them; remove the old soil as it becomes 
cleared of plants, and replace it by new, so that at the end the whole 
are planted in new soil; then give a gentle sprinkling of water 
through a fine rose, and finally put on the lights. If the heat of the 
bed has much declined, put a little lining to the back part of it; 
when they begin to grow give them plenty of air, and occa¬ 
sionally water as they require it. 
