i 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER 
t mm ” * 
AUGUST 10, 1903 
and-ready method possesses a crop of 
flowers or fruits upon whose countenances 
tliose of the “finnicker”’ dare not so much 
a$ cast their despondent eyes. : 
Mitch, very much more could be written 
upon this point, but enough has been said 
to shéw the timid voyager that he need not 
hesitate to embark upon the flowery ocean 
of his choice, even though he does not pos- 
sess the wisdom of a Solomon, capacity for 
detail of a Ruskin, intuitive perceptibility 
of a South African war critic, or the wealth 
of a Carnegie to purchase the thousand and 
one ‘essentials’? to success which the text 
book prescribes. _ 
A. word of apology is, perhaps, called for 
on behalf of those upon whom aspersions 
have seemingly been cast; so here it is. 
They prescribe what they know to be best, 
even though they do not follow out the 
prescription themselves. 
foe 
Kanuals: 
THEIR CULTIVATION AND THE 
BEST TO GROW, 
This paper was tead by Mr. J. Beggs at 
meeting of the S, A. Gardeners’ Society. 
Summer annuals, although not represented 
so largely as the spring Howering, yet give a 
greater amount of satisfaction on account of 
their continuing to bloom. for such a long 
time, as by succession of sowings some may 
be had in flower for six months, and with less 
labor te the grower. In No. | paper I have 
dealt with mode of raising seed, and the 
Various ways of planting them. ~ It will not be 
necessary to repeat it here to any extent. 
The watering of annuals is an important 
part, and the best way to do this is to irrigate 
the ground two or three times a week rather 
than light sprinklings every day, for the fault 
of many people is to wet the top’ of the soil 
only, and imagine they have given the plants 
a good watering, instead of which they 
hasten the death by bringing the roots to the 
surface, thereby poe them. 
-In the matter 6f what is the best time to 
water, opinions differ (most gardeners water 
in-the evening), but mine is in the morn- 
ing, as the ground is cooled down somewhat 
during the preceding night ; anyway, the tem- 
perature of the ground and the water should, 
as near as possible, approach the same 
degree. The system of watering overhead 
is a very bad one, except to wash the dust off 
plants now and then, because the water does 
more harm to the flowers than: the hot sun 
by settling amongst the petals, and when the 
sun shines fiereely on the particles of water 
it causes the flowers to decay much quicker 
than usual. This applies more to double 
than single flewers, the moisttre not standing 
in these so long. ; 
The great object. in watering plants is that 
they should have abundance of water below 
their roots, and this can be accomplished 
by keeping the ground thoroughly worked ; 
also by mulching with manure, which is 
becoming more general than formerly. 
The propagation of annuals is ‘nearly 
always carried on by sowing of seed. It can 
also be done by cuttings with many varieties ; 
and this is an advantage when you wish to 
perpetuate a good strain. Phlox, Marigold, 
Calliopsis, Chrysanthemum, Salpiglossis, Cen- 
taurea, and many others, are suited to this 
way of propagation, placing the cuttings from 
side shoots in very sandy soil in pots or pans 
under glass in a shadehouse, and not kept too 
wet. 
In the planting of annuals much scope is 
required to make an effective display. Our 
Botanic Garden is a most suitable place to 
show them off to the best advantage, more 
especially now that great improvements are 
going on in getting rid of the useless trees 
and opening up the Garden. Groups of 
- Amaranthus, Asters, Zinnias, &c., about a 
garden give a deal of satisfaction, if well 
looked after. 
Saving the seed requires a little trouble, 
and it should be gathered on a fine day, 
putting the seed-heads in cloth bags, naming 
them carefully, also the color of flower and 
its height, placing the bagsin a dry room, 
where mice and insects do not get at them. 
These seeds can be left till some wet day, 
when they may be cleaned for future use. I 
do not hold with home-saved seeds of the 
best annuals beingsown more than one or 
two years, as they are apt to run out, so it is 
better to get a fresh strain. 
Many annuals when they have flowered 
can be cut back, which will induce them to 
break out at the joints and give another dis- 
play of flowers. 
Amaranthus (foliage plants)—These are 
one of our finest decorative plants, and 
should be grown by all. The cultivation is 
so simple that there is little fear of failure. I 
might say here, the richer the soil the less 
variegated they become. I think this applies 
to most plants having variegation. The 
ground then should be of a rather light 
nature of moderate quality to start the plants 
in. Water sparingly at first, so as to prevent 
the plants growing too tall; when the color 
is beginning to show, liquid manure is bene- 
ficial. Beds on lawns look well, using a 
ground-work of A. tricolor Henderi ; nextrow 
of A. aurea speciosus ; third row, A. melan- 
cholicus ruber; fourth row, A. splendens; 
fifth row or centre, A. salicifolius splendidis- 
simus. Amateurs, when selecting, should 
be careful not to have such varieties as A. 
caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. monstrosus ; 
these are mere weeds. “Clumps amongst 
shrubberies are effective or dotted here and 
there along carriage drives, around fountains 
and ponds of water. 
Asters—A class of annuals that are but 
seldom seen to perfection on the plains, and 
I should like to see them more extensively 
grown than they are. August is the month 
to start sowing seeds, and continued up to 
the end of October. I noticed in our public 
gardens last summer (November) a couple of 
beds which made a nice display, but rather 
irregular. I think the reason of their coming 
into bloom so early in the season was owing 
to the warm and dry winter preceding. 
Asters like a rich loam to grow in, with 
plenty of rotten manure added; double- 
shifted plants with a ball are the best; they* 
may be planted six inches apart each way ; 
being erect they do not cover much space. 
‘There are various ways of working the Aster, 
such as beds on lawns, lines, and large or 
small clumps in the borders. Mulching is 
very necessary, using plenty of water up till 
the flowers are well formed, when they can 
take less; and do not water overhead when 
in bloom on account of their double flowers, 
“which retain the moisture, and cause the 
petals to decay at their base. Amongst the 
varieties for bedding purposes I give the - 
place to A. Victoria (improved), followed by 
A. Dwarf, Chrysanthemum-flowered ;_ then 
comes the Peony, quiHed and comet varieties. 
I believe some gardeners save their own seed, 
but I prefer to get it- from a reliable seeds- 
man ; home saved seed varies too much, no 
matter how good the strain in the first 
instance, : 
Arnebia Cornuta.—A new and _ pretty 
annual, flowered by me once only, and think 
it requires very sandy soil, with plenty of 
sun, 
Balsam.—As a border annual, or for pot 
culture, this makes a very suitable plant. It 
flowers from November to April, but is of no 
use for cutting. It requires as arulea shady 
situation with abundance of water and 
manure in ground, and as a mulch, though I 
have had at times fine specimens growing 
out inthe open border exposed to all-day 
sun, which were kept fairly dry, whilst those in 
moist borders have damped off. The finest 
plants are those raised from seed sown where 
it is to flower, and the best way of growing 
them is in clumps about the borders in shel- 
tered positions. Itis not advisable to grow 
them in beds, as they are so liable to damp 
off, leaving irregularities. In pot culture 
they like a light loam, and each shift can be 
potted deeper than the last. A seven-inch 
pot will carry a nice-sized plant, and a few 
might be tried where there is a green- 
house. 
Browallia.—Fine for massing in borders, 
growing in the full sun. Ordinary garden 
soil. 
Cacalia.—These require to be grown very 
thick in clumps and masses, very hardy, and 
do well in sandy soil. F : 
“ Calliopsis.—This must be considered one 
of the best annuals which we possess, conti- 
nuing in flower for several months, and if 
grown as I saw C. Drummondi in a hills 
garden last summer, it will give the greatest 
satisfaction. Circular beds on lawns, clumps, 
and lines inthe borders will show them off 
to the best’ advantage. Recommended for 
spring flowering, also loam to light sandy 
soil, with full exposure. 
.- Cosmos hybrida.—Cosmos bipannatus is 
avery old annual with small flowers, but 
its hybrids are far superior both as regards 
to size and colors, which make them one 
of our standard annuals. They are grand 
for cutting, having long stems and single 
dahlia-like flowers which last well in a cut 
state, and can be grown on the plains as 
well as our hills. There is one objection, 
‘which is their great height, to having them 
in small gardens; but this will be remedied 
in selection before long, Fair loam re- 
quired, with mulch and plenty of water. 
