The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-14
Va, FRIDAY MORNING, April r. a, = 1871
Flowers g and F, ore, S 3, IN, :.

4 -,
The weather has now probably. opened
up. It Is most likely That an danger O
frost has passed. Now is the time to 1,re
pare flower eds for the, reception Of SEED
and plants from the green houses. Many
indeed most, Of our citizens who have
front yards plant them Id flowers. To such
we viii offer q few general directions, d
course we could not, In the small space
allotted to US, tell how each particular she.
cies should be worked, OF how It would
look. We will cay this, however. that
nearly alfthe kinds of seeds mentioned by
us may be nowsown, and ifrules laid down
by us are followed, your beds will not be
entire failures. ie.: il5'asil 81 2ffi 's..s
F'ft17r" ~ GENERAL REaARKs. EizI';.s !
Among all the eliishments of home
there are none more beautiful than flowers.
" hethers climbing up over the window,
running along the lattice, blooming along
the walk, nesting in the hanging basket, or
smiling in the: consery atoTy; wherever they
find place they enliyen BY their presence
and refine by their influence. They send
forth q grateful perfume, and afford sun
shine on 2 cloudy day. Their cultivation
and care, too, so far from being an irksome
task, is an inviting and healthful pleasure
to the young, the middle-aged, and the old.
Bright and beautiful flowers will not grow
spontaneously, like weeds in garden. The
seed must first be soWD, and the plants en-
couraged in their development By proper
attention, q, 4Ef -, ~, -
: Much attention should also be paid to the
proper selection and classification of plants.
For instance, If tall, snowy group Of flow
ers Is desired, plant zinnias, marlgolds,
balsams Qady slippersl peoples, &c. If it
Is desired to have snowy, massed beds,
select. phlox, candytuft,: petunias, verbe-
mas, &c. If dwarf edgings are wanted, use
sweet alyssum, &c. If fragrance be the
particular quality sought for, use migno-
nette, sweet peas, sweet alyssum. stocks,
&c. If leaf color is wanted, take amaran-
thus, perilla, coleus, &c. When mixed
beds are desired, the tallest flowers should
always be placed in the centre. As a rule,
all flowers succeed best In sandy loan, en-.
riched with well-rotted stable manure,
which should be thoroughly mixed with
the soil. The soil win not then become
hard or baked, thus not only giving greater
strength to the flowers, but enabling it to
be more easily worked. .-f'' : -.
49, PLANTING. - tt3', :. 81
If fine seed are used, sow on the surface
and press the ground evenly with O
! smooth piece of board. If sown too deem
the seed will perish. Mistakes are often
| made in this way. .......- -
Hardy plants will stand more rough treat
| ment from the weather than the half hardy:
therefore, to avoid the result of failure.
the seed Of the latter should not be sown
SO early in the season as the former.
TRANSFORMING.
When your plants started in pots have
| attained growth Of two or three inches.
| they are fit to be removed to the place
where they are wanted to bloom, If the
weather is suitable. The TRANSFORMING
should be done in showery weather or In
| the evening, and the soil should have pre-
| viously been spaded up, SO as to bring the
moist earth to the surface, and should be
thoroughly pulverized. Set the plants in
the proper depth and press the soil firmly
about the roots, cover with little loose
soil, and your plant is set. and if properly
done no after-watering will be necessary
| except in very dry spots or during con
tinued droughts. After the plants hav,
! been set, the soil should be frequentl,
! stirred until the plants cover the ground
| as it helps to keep down weeds, and ais,
! keeps the soil moist under the surface.
| In future article we will give some re
marks upon the, selection of flowers will
| reference to their colors. ...