Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-05-14
1epatn1elrt.
The Flower Garden.

In growing flowers, the first ana
most important point is to OBTAIN
good seed. This is seldom dene by
those that pick up seed among
friends and neighbors. Our best
flowers have been brought to their
present perfection by great care in
selection and management. This
has required much knowledge, skill
and experience. In their present
highly cultivated state, there is a
constant tendency to mix and degen-
crate. To guard against this, also
requires much care and experience.
In the ordinary cultivation Of flowers
this is seldom considered or attend
ed to. Many varieties are grown
where they are liable to mix, and few
kinds are managed so as to produce
good seed, while large proportion
of the seeds given away are grown
from inferior specimens. Hence
those aiming at the best results will
purchase the best seeds.
To do so, they will procure a csta-
logue of some leading seedsman.-
This is necessary in order 20 make a
proper selection, and to learn the
prices of the different kinds wanted.
Such catalogue is very useful and
convenient, not only in describing
the manner of growth, color and ap-
pearance of the flower, but in the
directions for preparing the ground,
and the general cultivation and man.
agement Indeed, a good catalogue
contains about all the information
needed-so that, as every beginner
should have that, or some other like|
it, the most that is needed is .eae
hints on using such q catalogue 70
the best advantage.
In selecting seeds, the first con-
sideration should be to obtain hardy
kinds that are easily grown. The
beginner will hardly like to be troub-
led with tender, puny plants, that
only produce satisfactory results
with the very best culture and man.
agement. He will rather aim to Sc
lect those kinds that can easily be
made to produce constant show
with suitable variety, having regard
to time of towering and color Of
flowers. To do this with the leas
trouble and expense, he has only td
select those that are hardy, freel
Towering and snowy, like the Aster,
Balsam, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox Dram
mondi, Portulacca, Double Zinnia,
and others of like character; and then
by following the directions given,
most satisfactory results will be re-
aiized. Not that satisfactory results
may not be obtained with all kinds,
by strictly following directions; but
such results may be more surely and
easily secured with such kinds as
those named.
1t is also best to select some that
can be relied on to keep up good
display until winter. For the early
autumn months, nothing is better
than good selection and variety of
Asters; but later, some kinds that
will stand hard frosts are necessary.
Some of the smaller beds may be
devoted to some one kind, like Mari
gold, Petunia Phlox, Portulacca,
Zinnia and others, which are grown
in masses, while the larger beds and
borders will contain more or less
variety. In such cases, a very good
form is what is called red ribbon
beds. These beds are made by set
ting rows or circles of plants, the in
side circle or back side rows the
highest, and each next row lower, so
that the last one is some low plant
like the Portulacca. For instance, I /
have produced very fine effect on a F
large circular bed, by making the
outside row Portulacca, the next
Phlox, next Petunias, with here and !
there spike of Blue Larkspur, and
the centre q circle Of double Zinnlas.
Sometimes these rows are each Of
one color, but l prefer variety of
each kind. The Zinnias are usually
mixed, and there is at the same time,
more pleasing uniformity and va
riety, by keeping this up in the other
rows. There are many shades Of
color in the Zinnias, but no wide con-
trast. By sowing mixed colors this
will be somewhat the case with the
Petunias, while now and then Lark
spur will help the effect. Then in
the larger circle OF Phlox there is
room for still greater variety, in
cluding good selection of the most
desirable colers. This will also be
the case with the outside row of Por-
tulaccas. By thus having the differ
ent varieties of the two last kinds in
the outside rows, the visitor finds 8
constant change as he passes around II
the bed III
As to the preparation of the ground h
for the beds, little need be said. OIL
course no one will think of fine i
lowers without good, rich, finely
worked soil, and this is all that is
needed by beginners.-Country Gen.
semaR.