2 
SUCCESS WITH FLOWERS 
PLANTING THE SEED 
In starting flower seeds of any kind, only beat and 
moisture are required until they sprout through the 
ground. Every seed contains life and strength sutlicient 
to sprout the germ when heat and moisture are applied, 
and does not require rich earth and manure to bring 
forth this germ of life, but will invariably be burned 
up if so planted. After the seed has sprouted and 
plant is large enough to transplant is the time to apply 
slightly richer soil. 
Sow the seeds thinly, then cover with finely pulver¬ 
ized soil;'as a general rule, cover only to twice the 
thickness of the seeds. Such fine seeds as Petunia, 
Portulaca, Ice Plant. Lobelia, etc., need only to be 
pressed into the soil with a piece of board or the palm 
qf the hand. Always press the earth down firmly after 
sowing all flower seeds, else there is danger of their 
drying up before tlie roots get a firm hold of the soil. 
If the ground becomes very dry just as the seed is 
starting, it will not grow. Never, under any circum¬ 
stances, allow the sun to dry them out. Along with the 
sun they must be kept moist. An hour of a bright, 
clear sun may so dry them that germination is de¬ 
stroyed. It is at this critical point really where the 
fault of so-called bad seeds largely lies. In the case 
of large seeds, there is less need of this precaution, but 
when once they are wet, keep them so or you will be 
likely to suffer loss. 
PREPARE YOUR SOIL RIGHT 
If there is anything important in flower culture, it is 
the thorough preparation of the soil. The seeds of a 
majority of our flower annuals are very small indeed, 
so it is doubly necessary to work the soil finely. Other¬ 
wise the small seeds falling into air spaces and inter¬ 
stices of the soil, find no contact with the earth upon 
nil sides. Ilence germination is retarded, or often en¬ 
tirely prevented, and the sower of the seeds waits and 
waits for results that never appear, and very likely 
blames the seed seller for the trouble. One great essen¬ 
tial in preparing soil is to have it dry, not wet and 
soggy. If in latter conilition.it never can be made right. 
A permanent injury is effected by working the ground 
too early. Lumps and cakes are formed which prove 
troublesome all the season. So never attempt to save 
time by beginning work too early. Wait by all means 
until the ground is warm and dry. Then spade care- 
fullv. breaking all lumps and turning the soil over. 
Finish the Job with an iron rake. This is a splendid 
tool for the* purpose. Work it backward and forward. 
Spare no labor and you will have a fine seed bed, for it 
is useless to expect fine seeds to come up if they are 
buried beneath great clods of dirt. 
TRANSPLANTING 
Nearly all flowers will bear transplanting. Sweet pens 
and poppies are usually sown where they are to grow. 
By growing them in boxes, hot-beds or cold-frames and 
transplanting them, you escape the first growth of 
weeds. 
