ANNUALS. 
57 
less than six inches apart. The July flowers, or more commonly 
called gilliflowers, become expansive as they increase. They 
should not be crowded together; three in a group are quite 
sufficient, and they should be six inches apart. The same may 
be said of the stock varieties. 
I have ever found the hardy annuals grow finest by allowing 
them to become self-sown. They flower some weeks earlier, and 
invariably produce larger and brighter flowers. 
When gathering my flower seeds in August and September, I 
allow one half to remain sprinkled over the borders; and the 
young plants never fail appearing healthy and strong above 
ground in March and April, the months appropriated to sowing 
the seed. Thus, my Lavateras, Larkspurs, &c., are in beautiful 
blow, while the second crop, or seeds sown in spring, are but 
showing their green heads above the surface. I weed away the 
superfluous self-sown plants to my taste; but the birds take care 
that no one shall be encumbered with a superfluity. I have by 
this means a first and second crop of the same annuals, but the 
crop of self-sown are far superior. They are up before the heats 
come on, to dry the earth, and dwindle the flower. 
Dig the ground well with your trowel, and rake it very fine, 
before you put in the seeds in spring. Annuals love a light, 
friable soil. All the hardy kinds may be sown in March, each 
sort in little separate patches, as follows :— 
Draw a little earth off the top to one side, then sprinkle in the 
seed, not too plentifully, and cover it again with the drawn-off 
earth. Half an inch is sufficient depth for small seed. The 
larger kind, such as sweet-peas, lupins, &c., must be sown an 
inch in depth. When the plants have been up some time, thin 
them well. The more space you have, the finer the plants will 
rise. 
The hardy annuals will not bear transplanting: they must be 
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