NOS. 326-330 S. MAIN ST., LOS ANGELES 
53 
REMARKS ON SOWING AND CULTURE. 
We have heard itremarked that the position of a person or a nation in the scale of refinement and 
civilization may be judged by his or their love of two things, viz.: Music and Flowers. 
The use and growth of flowers, especially, marks the progress of individuals and nations, the great¬ 
est nations of the earth being those with whom tl e love of Floriculture most prevails. To the lover 
of flowers, what can be more interesting than to sow the seed, water, and otherwise care for the 
growth and development of the plant, and at last, enjoy the expansion of the flower? What does the 
sense of proprietorship-of the purchaser of flowers, compare to that of the grower of them? The lat¬ 
ter feels that they are verily his own, the results of his fostering care. Among the flowers which may 
be grown with a minimum amount of care and expense are those varieties which reproduce them¬ 
selves from seeds. These are classed as Annuals, Biennials and Perennials, and these are subdi¬ 
vided into Hardy, Half Hardy and Tender varieties of each class. Hardy Annuals are those plants 
which may be sown in the open air. They grow, flower, produce seed and then die. Half Hardy An¬ 
nuals are those varieties which require an even temperature of at least 60 degrees to germinate the 
seed, and will not stand frost; consequently, they must not be sown in the open ground during the fall 
or winter months, and not in spring till April. A good rule for those to follow who wish to sow this 
class is to wait for the proper weather and season in which to sow Corn, Melon or Pumpkin seeds. 
These being Half Hardy Annual vegetable seeds, it follows that Half Hardy Annual flower seeds may 
be sown without risk at the same time. 
Tender Annuals are those that require greenhouse protection, as Calceolaria, etc.; the seeds are 
usually very fine, and it requires skill and care to raise them. 
Hardy Biennials are those that flower the second year from sowing the seed and then die. 
Plardy Perennials are among the finest of our border plants. They do not usually flower till the 
second year after sowing, but may be relied upon to produce larger clumps of flowers year by year for 
many years. Half Hardy Perennials are those which require some protection during the coldest 
weather, as they will not stand frost. Tender Perennials are those species that require greenhouse or 
other protection during the greater part of the year, as they are, generally speaking, natives of trop¬ 
ical countries. 
The best time to sow Hardy Annual^ is in the fall months, as they will make much stronger plants, 
and flower much more abundantly when wintered over. They may be sown in any finely prepared 
shady border, and transplanted when large enough, to where they are to flower. Do not cover the 
seeds too deep. A good rule is to cover each seed its own *}epth with soil, at the same time taking 
care to water carefully. Never water so much that the soil gets “soggy,” i.e., saturated; nor ever let 
the top get dry. Most varieties will germinate within ten days. 
They may also be sown at any time during the spring months for summer blooming, care being 
taken to shade the young plants, after transplanting, in hot weather. 
Half Hardy Annuals may be sown in April out of doors, or in boxes in March or earlier. If in 
boxes, they should be covered, or removed under cover during the night time, and during heavy rains. 
Those who have hot beds may sow the seed in February and grow the plants in 3-inch pots, for 
planting outdoors in April, thus gaining two months on thjose who have not this advantage. (See in¬ 
structions for making hot beds, in Calendar of operations.) If sown in boxes, the boxes should have 
an inch of rough soil or gravel, at the bottom for drainage; the remainder of the box should be filled 
within an inch of the top with sifted, light, rich soil, firmly pressed, and the seed should be sown, 
covered its own depth with soil, again pressed and watered. When the young plants are large 
enough to be handled, prick out into other boxes, planting them about 1 inch apart, and, when weather 
permits, they should afterwards be planted in the open ground in the place where they are to flower. 
Tender Annuals should be sown in pots as follows. Take a 5 or 6-inch flower pot, put an inch of 
drainage in the bottom, then two inches of finely sifted soil, firmly pressed, with a sprinkling of sand 
on top. Then sow the seed, and do not cover, but press it into the soil. Water with a very fine 
sprinkler, and cover the top of the pot with a sheet of glass. Remove the glass for an hour daily to 
dry up the damp. When seedlings appear, gradually harden them off to the air. As soon as they can 
be handled, prick out into 2-inch pots, and shift again when necessary. 
Hardy Biennials and Perennials should be sown in September. Many varieties, if sown then, will 
flower the next year. If sown in spring they will not flower till a year later. They may be sown in a 
shady border, and when large enough, transplanted to where they are to remain. 
Half Hardy and Tender Perennials should be sown in boxes, and treated as recommended for Plalf 
Hardy Annuals, till plants appear, when they should be pricked into 2-inch pots, and shifted after¬ 
wards when necessary. 
