In this Department, under the head of 
Annuals, we describe not only the true An¬ 
nuals, that is, those flowers that bud, blossom 
and ripen their seed the first summer and then 
die, but some Biennials and Perennials that 
flower the first season, and then live on for a 
year or more, like the Pansy, Dianthus and 
Antirrhinum. The Annuals are valuable 
treasures to both the amateur and professional 
gardener. There is no forgotten spot in the 
garden, none which early flowering bulbs or 
other spring flowers have left unoccupied, or 
where plants have unexpectedly failed, that need remain bare during the summer; no bed but 
can be made brilliant with these favorites, for there is no situation or soil in which some of the 
Annuals will not flourish. Some members delight in shade, others in sunshine; some are pleased 
with a cool clay bed, like the Pansy; while others are never so comfortable as in a sandy soil 
and burning sun, like that little salamander, the Portulaca. Still others seem perfectly indifferent, 
and will grow and flower under almost any circumstances. The seed, too, is so cheap as to be 
within the reach of all, while a good collection of bedding plants would not come within the re¬ 
sources of many; and yet very few beds filled with expensive bedding plants look better than a 
good bed of our best Annuals, like Phlox, Petunia or Portulaca, and for a vase or basket several 
of our Annuals are unsurpassed. 
To the Annuals, also, we are indebted mainly for our brightest and best flowers in the late 
summer and autumn months. They seem like nature’s smiles, so simply do they spring up 
before us, and so wonderfully do they brighten our gardens and homes. Frail treasures; yet 
who can estimate the good they accomplish in one short summer? Is not our life as frail as 
theirs? and shall we not, while studying their habits, learn to make the most of each day’s 
sunshine, remembering, also, that clouds and rain are as necessary in maturing the human 
character as in perfecting and making beautiful the buds and blossoms of our favorites. They 
seem to lose no moments, but rush forward as if knowing the cold winter was surely coming, 
and that they must improve each hour. Without the Phlox and Petunia and Portulaca and 
Aster and Stock, our autumn gardens would be poor indeed, and how we would miss the sweet 
fragrance of the Alyssum, Mignonette and Sweet Pea if any ill-luck should deprive us of their 
friendly faces. In this section we have a fine collection of Cumbers, like the Morning Glory 
and Coboea scandens, and also the Everlasting Flowers and most of the Ornamental 
Grasses. All these are described in their proper places, with appropriate headings, so that our 
readers will have no difficulty in findingwhat they desire, and can make no mistake as to their 
true character. 
