28 | HAND BOOK FOR THE GARDEN 
leaves, transplant into rows a few inches apart each way, and later 
when they begin to crowd transplant a second time. This involves 
extra work but is necessary to raise sturdy plants. Keep them shaded 
with the screens all summer. In September, if well developed, they 
may be placed in their permanent locations where they are to blos- 
som the following year, or left in the seed beds for early spring 
transplanting. After the ground freezes hard, cover with evergreen 
or other branches and a few inches of straw or leaves loosely piled 
on top. In late March, remove one-half the top mulch and loosen up 
the rest, to admit air. Take off the remainder gradually, as the 
season advances. 
PANSIES AND VIOLAS 
T For spring plants the seed may be sown broadcast from July to 
September. Cover the seed very lightly with fine soil and press 
in with a board; then mulch the seed bed with long, loose, strawy 
manure, to a depth of 3 or 4 inches. The seed will be up in about 10 or 
15 days; then remove the straw a little at a time. Transplant the 
seedlings to beds or frames in September or October; and after a 
sharp frost, late in November or early December, provide a light or 
loose mulch of hay, straw or litter. The seed may also be sown in- 
doors in January or February, or in Spring in the open ground in a 
shady location. The soil sheuld be very rich and liberal applications 
of bone meal should be given from time to time. 
ANNUAL POPPIES, ETC, 
U_ Sow in the open ground after danger from frost is over, in beds 
of well-pulverized soil. The plants should remain where sown, as 
they will not stand transplanting unless done with extraordinary care. 
Thin out carefully so as to disturb the remaining plants as little as 
possible. For succession of bloom, two or three sowings can be made 
at intervals during the Summer. 
CYCLAMEN 
Vv The best time to sow the seed is as soon as ripe, usually in Sep- 
tember, in gentle heat, in shallow boxes or pans filled with a 
compost of sandy loam, leaf mould and coarse sand. Cover the seed 
with a layer of finely chopped sphagnum moss about 1 inch deep and 
keep this moist. Water carefully and keep at a uniform temperature 
of 50 to 60 degrees. When the plants have made 2 leaves transplant 
into small pots. Grow on until the plant requires a 5-inch pot. 
ASTERS 
The cultivation of the Aster is simple. Do not sow the seed too 
early; the middle of March indoors is considered a very good time. 
Successive sowings should be made, if a constant supply of flowers 
is desired from July until frost. For early use sow the seed in shallow 
boxes, covering with one-fourth inch of soil. Later sowings may be 
made in hotbeds or cold frames; or in the open ground, broadcast or 
in drills, when all danger of frost is past. Never use the same ground 
or location twice in succession. The soil should be rich and moist. 
We recommend rulverized sheep manure, wood ashes and phosphates 
as fertilizers. If barnyard manure is used it should be thoroughly 
