Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-22
AarituI Itntal .
A N N U A L S
From the Country Gentleman }

The plants gencfally callcu Ahhua -,
are such rs are grown from the seed,
produce flowers, and perfect their seed
The same season, and then perish
This is the most popular class ofplants,
and the number of varieties is being
increased continually, not only by the
art of the florist, but by the discovery
ofnew sorts in the remote regions OF
Asia, Africa and South America.
China, Japan and California are also
very prolific sources from whence are
produced many new and valuable
sorts.
Annuals are classed as hardy, half
hardy and tender. Hardy AnnuaIs
arc such us are able to gcrminatc
when sown in the open ground, need
ing no artificial heat at any period Of
their growth. Many Of this class
may be found growing in the spring
from self-sowu seeds scattered by the
plants in the preceding autumn. As.
icrs, Portulaccas, Eternal flowers,
Eschscholtzias, Pctunias, and many
others belong to this class.
Halfhardy Annals are such as
will require the aid Of artificial heat
!or the termination Of the seeds and
the protection Of the young plants,
although they will flower freely in
the open air. Many Of this class will
terminate in the open air, if'plantcd
lato enough in the season to ensure
sufficient warmth in the ground. To
this class belong Balsams, Marigolds,
Fen Week Stocks, &c. These are la
Ter towering than the hardy annuals,
and aae q very desirable class
Tender Annuals are such as will
not germinate except by the aid of u
hot-bed or other artificial heat, and
cannot be started at all in the open
ground, unless under very favorable
circumstances. In this class may be
found Cockscombs, Cypress Vines, Ice
plant, &c.
In growing Annuals, one great
fault is committed, and that is, the
seeds are sown too early. More dis
appointment results from this cause
shan almost any other. AS general
rule, even hardy ANNALS should not
he sown before the middle of May in
his latitude, and even that time will
prove too early in some seasons, and
we have found that open air sowing
is full as successful wien per for
med as late us the first of June
OF course, the Towering will be some
what later than with Il successful ear
ly planting, but the difference will be
very slight, for the late sown plants
will be almost sure Of good weather,
and will grow without any check !;
those sown earlier will have Il strug-
gle, even to live, with the cold rainy
weather Of the spring, and will often
DO overtaken in growth, vigor and
bloom, by plants from seed sown
weeks later. 1t is Of great advan-
tagc to the flower garden to have Il
hot-bed for starting flower seeds, for
even the hardy ANIMALS can be ad-
vanccd month by means Of it, and
by the time they have done towering,
those sown in the open border will
begin TO bloom.
The greatest mistake made in seed
planting, is i'll planting too deep. OF
course the depth at which they should
be planted will vary with the size of
the seeds Large seeds, as those OF
the Sweet Pea, Four-o clocks, Lupins,
&c, may be planted thrcc-quartcrs of
an inch deep, but small seeds should
generally be planted on the surface,
and little fine soil siited over them.
When they arc sown to deep they will
generally decay. In sowing in pots
or seed pans for the hot-bcd, the soil
should be gently pressed down and
watcrcd, and then SOW the seed and
cover with very little siitcd soil
Instead of soil, fine moss may be
used for the covering, to be kept
moist, and removed when the seeds
have terminated