Growing Flowers from Seed 
To start seeds indoors, use a shallow box filled with vermiculite 
(see page 83) or light, rich soil not likely to bake or form a crust 
when the surface dries, and which has been treated with For- 
maldehyde or Semesan. Tamp firmly, so that the level is about 
half an inch below the top of the box. Make shallow furrows 
crossways, about an inch apart. Very fine seeds, like Petunias 
and Portulacas, need merely marks; large seeds, like Scabiosas, 
Lupines, and Four o’Clocks, should have furrows a half inch 
deep. Sow the seed thinly in the rows, and label each row. Sift 
fine soil, mixed with sand, over the seeds, covering them to the 
soil level. Then press the surface with a board or a brick and 
water with a very fine nozzle or sprinkle the surface with a whisk- 
broom dipped in water. Cover the box with a sheet of glass and 
newspaper, and set it in a warm position, watching from day to 
day to see that the surface does not get dry or become soggy. 
As soon as the seedlings break through the ground, the news- 
paper must be removed and the box set where it will receive the 
largest amount of sunlight. When the first leaves are fully formed, 
remove the glass or tilt it to admit air; when the seedlings are all 
up and gathering strength, take off the glass. 
Special care will be needed in watering. If too much water is 
used, the seedlings are likely to damp off; if not enough, they will 
not grow rapidly. 
Transplant once before moving to garden. 
Perennials require exactly the same treatment, except that 
sowing may be delayed until the annuals are out of the way. 
Good results can also be obtained by sowing most annuals 
outdoors any time from early April to June. 
Alyssum (Annuals and Perennials) 
The ever-popular and always satisfactory flower for edging beds 
or planting in porch-boxes or rockeries. Sow the seed in the open 
ground any time from early April to June. Blooms all summer. 
Violet Queen. Annual. Dwarf, compact plants rarely 6 inches 
high. Flowers deep lavender-lilac. A very pretty variety. Pkt. 
15cts., 4oz. 50 cts., oz. $1.50. 
Little Gem. Annual. A dwarf form which makes dense, round, 
little bushes about 6 inches high, covered with very white flowers. 
Pkt. 15 cts., 140z. 40 cts., oz. $1. 
Saxatile compactum, Blanket of Gold. Perennial. Bushy 
plants a foot high. Tiny bright yellow flowers in clusters. A good 
rock-plant. Pkt. 15cts., 4oz. 50 cts., oz. $1.50. 
Royal Carpet. Silver Medal, All-America Selections, 1953. 
(aS) Answat Vibrant purple color. Grows only a few inches high 
but 10 inches across. Very free flowering. Self-sows. Pkt. 
25 cts., Yoz. 75 cts., Moz. $1.25, oz. $4.00. 
White Carpet. Annual. The name describes it—a carpet of 
white only 2 to 3 inches high. Pkt. 15 cts., oz. 40 cts., oz. $1. 
White Sweet. Annual. The old-fashioned variety. Low-growing 
and spreading. Sweet-scented, pure white flowers, Pkt. 15 cts., 
Yoz. 25 cts., oz. 65 cts. 
Ageratum - Floss Flower (Annual) 
Excellent for low borders and edging, and is often used for porch- 
boxes. Can be sown outdoors in May, but to have blooms earlier 
start indoors in March. 
Blue Perfection. Pretty, deep lavender-blue flowers. Plants 
grow about 15 inches high. Pkt. 15cts., 44oz. 50cts., oz. $1.50. 
Dwarf Blue Boy. A new variety only about 4 inches high. Very 
uniform growth, completely covered with bloom in rich shades of 
blue. Pkt. 25 cts., oz. $1.75, 40z. $3.25, oz. $5.50. 
Imperial Dwarf Blue. Perfectly formed little plants about 8 
inches tall, with flowers of clear blue. Pkt. 15 cts., Yoz. 90 cts. 
Little Blue Star. Tiny plants, not over 5 inches high, covered 
with masses of bright blue flowers. Pkt. 25 cts., 14oz. $1.50, 
