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HUNTS V- 
on the 
Sowing and Cultivation 
OF . 
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THE SOIL AND ITS PREPARATION. 
The best soil for annuals and for most flowering plants, whether biennials 
or perennials is a light rich loam. In such they grow readily, and attain to 
great perfection of bloom with but little care. By the application of proper 
manures, sand, or clay, they can be brought to such a condition as to answer 
all the purposes of a flower garden. Deep and thorough trenching in the 
autumn, if possible, and the application of very old decayed manure or leaf 
mould, will give the amateur a well prepared and suitable soil. 
Where the soil is too light, a thin layer of clay, if to be had, should be 
spread over the surface in the autumn, and dug in, after being pulverized by 
the winter frosts in the spring. This, with the use of old manure—that which 
has lain a year or more, and been frequently turned over till it becomes thor¬ 
oughly decayed—will keep the garden in good condition. No unvarying rules 
can be given ; much must be left to the judgment of the amateur. He must 
understand that the soil of a good garden should be deep, well pulverized, 
friable and rich. 
Where the flower garden is a specialty, then more pains ought to be taken 
and those, who are about to do this, if they have not the requisite information, 
will consult something more than a catalogue. Our hints are intended for the 
mass of the people who love flowers, and do not wish to incur great expense 
in the gratification of their taste. 
PERIOD FOR SOWING. 
This must depend much upon the season as well as the locality. As a gen¬ 
eral rule, the proper time to commence sowing is about the middle of April • 
though a few sorts, may be planted as soon as the ground can be got ready ; 
and for a succession the sowing should be continued until June. In the 
Southern States, of course January, February, or March will be the time to 
sow, as they correspond with April, May and June at the North. To avoid 
all danger of injury, the sowing may be deferred till the last of April, but 
when a little labor is of no consideration the sowing may be,made earlier 
and, in case of failure or injury from frost or wet, another sowing may be made 
when the weather is more favorable. Because we recommend April, it is not 
to be understood the sowing must be made at that time. If sown in any part 
of May they will flower later, but abundantly throughout the latter part of 
summer. 
