DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 
Sowing: in Compartments. Hot-Bed with pricked out Plante, protected by Straw Mat, 
Giving- Air to Seedling's in Frame, 
of April to the middle of June, along: i \e border, in little patches four or six inches square, or in drills, on the spot 
where they are wanted to blosao::i ; and in doing so, care should taken to have the different varieties arranged in 
such a manner as to produce a pleasing effect when they arc in bloom. 
HALF-HARDY ANNUALS are those species that flower and ripen their seeds in the open air, but need 
the assistance of artificial hc.it in the earlier stages of their growth. They should be sow in a hot-bed, or in pots 
in a green-house, if one is available, or in a sunny window. iCccp them well shaded, which will prevent absorption 
by the rays of the sun. and the consequent necessity of frequent watering, which bakes the soil, and does much 
mischief to seeds of slow growth. Towards the middle or end of May, many of the seedlings w ill be ready foi trans¬ 
planting to borders ; but previous to this exposure, it will be necessary to harden them, preparatory to removal, by 
gradually admitting air to the frame both day and night. 
BIENNIALS AND PERENNIALS. — Biennials are those plants that do not generally flower the first 
year, and are only in perfection one season. Perennial', continue to flower several years in succession. The seed 
may be sown as has already been stated, at times when the ground is moist, but not very wet, from the first of 
April to August. Many of them may be raised in the open ground, like hardy annuals, and transplanted ; but ten¬ 
der or half-hardy kinds should be sown as directed for half-hardy annuals. As they do not generally bloom the 
first year, they may be thinned out or removed from the seed-bed as soon as they are well rooted, and planted 
either in different parts of the garden, or into nursery beds, m rows a foot apart. The half-hardy or tender bienni¬ 
als must be kept during winter in a green-house or dry cellar, and tender perennials must be protected from fr< st 
by a cloth or mat being fastened or tied around them, and covered afterwards with leaves or litter. 
BRIEF DIRECTIONS FOR SOW I NG are printed on the different seed packages; st l, to rendei 
more certain, a careful observance of the above directions, which arc based on the practical experience of grow i rs, 
will be found of great benefit to inexperienced florists. 
HOT-BED CULTURE. — Many varieties of flowers can scarcely he brought to perfection without the as-is - 
ance of hot-bed or cold-frame, and much care is often necessary in transplanting, sheltering, and pricking out the 
young plants. It is a work that requires much experience, and no doubt many disappointments will naturally 
occur. Still, a hot-bed is a necessity, without the aid of which many of our choicest and most beautiful flowers 
cannot be successfully grown. Experience is a rapid teacher, and the lover of flowers is an apt scholar. 
f3T"The following illustrations will show the various methods of planting, and will be of advantage, we hope, 
to the inexperienced. 
Frame for Seedling^. 
