FLOWER BORDERS. 
45 
for several years had occasioned me much trouble, inasmuch as 
it seemed next to impossible to get them thoroughly fine, either 
as regards the doubleness of the flowers, or the quantity of bloom ; 
great pains were taken to procure the best of seed, the most of 
which was certified to be imported, still the number of single- 
blossomed plants greatly preponderated, until their introduction 
to the light rich earth, provided by the dressings before mentioned, 
when a most remarkable change occurred, instead of mean, 
sliabby-looking things, with a few particoloured single blossoms, 
they became furnished with robust lateral branches, spreading 
nine inches on either side of the principal stem, and clothed with 
flowers from the ground upwards ; the colours were pure and 
well defined, the individual blossoms as large, in many instances, 
as a penny-piece, and more than two thirds of the number were 
that year double. Ever since that period, I have continued to 
grow them in very rich soil, and have always a much greater 
proportion of double than single flowers, though I now save my 
own seed, and feel convinced that were the proper pains taken in 
the preparation of the soil, and providing strong plants to turn 
out at an early season, we might make ourselves quite independent 
of the continental growers for our future supply of tins and other 
seed of like nature. 
Asters, larkspurs, zinnias, and many other similar plants, all 
gave the same decided preference to the rich soil, growing in it 
much larger, producing more flowers, and those of infinitely 
superior character, nor does any apparent deterioration take 
place under this management, or, at least, with me no difference 
is observable in the quality of the seed through four seasons; 
and therefore I conclude we have only to furnish the plants with 
a full supply of nutriment, which, it appears, should be really 
much greater than is generally supposed, that we may preserve 
any degree of perfection among them. But it is quite natural, 
if we allow the strength of the seed-bearing individual to decline, 
that its progeny should partake of such weakness. 
Let me advise all who love their gardens, and desire to see its 
occupants in the best possible condition, to thoroughly manure 
it at the present time. Every vacant piece should have a heavy 
coat turned in at once, and again in the summer let an applica- 
