The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-03-17
FLOWERS AND THEIR CULTURE.

There are few cities In our country so well
adapted to the culture of flowers, or where
their cultivation will 80 well repay the anna
teur gardener, as Richmond, and there are
but few where so much attention Is pl;d
to them. The soil here is just suited
to their growth, and the climate Is Of that
character where will flourish as well the plant
Of the icy North as those of the tropics
Many little front yard or border may be
made to "blossom rs the rose" by very
little care and attention, while those who
have larger grounds may keep up success
sion Of flowers and have an abundance for
decorating their parlors.
The winter season is about over, and soon
that of buds and blossoms will be here. and
we should begin to prepare the soil for the
reception of, the seed and to determine what
we shall plant and where it shall be grown.
A few
GENERAL REMARKS
upon these points will be found of interest
to all who propose to raise flowers this season.
Among all the embellishments of a home
there are noae more beautiful than flowers.
Whether climbing up over the window, rum
ming along the lattice, blooming along the
walk, nesting in the hanging basket; or
smiling in the conserVatory-w wherever they
find place they enliven by their presence
and refine by their influence. They send
forth grateful perfume, and afford sun
shine on a cloudy day. Their cultivation
and care, too. 80 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 sown, and the plants en-.
couraged in their development by proper
attention.
Much attention should also be paid to the
proper selection and classification Of plants.
For instance, if tall, SNOWY group of flow
crs is desired, plant zinnias, marigolds,
balsams Qady-slippers), poppics, &c. If 1t IS
desired 10 have snowy masSed beds select
phlox, candytrft, petunias, yerbcnas, DC. II
dwarf edgings are wanted, Use sweet alys-
sum, &c. If fragrance he the particular
quality sought for, use mignonctte, sweet
peas, sweet alyssum, stocks, &c If leaf-color
is wanted, take amaranthus, perilla, coleus,
&c. When mixed beds are desired, the taiiest
flowers should always be placed in the centre.
As O rule, all flowers succeed best in sandy
loam, enriched with well-rotted stable ma
nure, which should be thoroughly mixed
with the soil. The soil will not then become
hard or baked, thus not only giving greater
strength to the flowers, but enabling it to be
more easily worked.
PLANTING.
IF fine seed are used, SOW on the surface
and press the ground evenly with smooth
niece of board, or sift the covering on
through sitter. If sown too deep the seed
will perish. Mistakes are often made in this
way. Twice the diameter of the seed is
good general rule for covering flower-seeds
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 SC
early in the season as the former.
Major o. Z. Babcock, OF the propagatin9
garden in Washington. says that, Gas gen
oral rule for different attitudes. when the ap.
nile and pear trees are in full bloom the
hardy seeds may be sown, and when the
oak. ash, and other later-budding trees fully
Ieypand their leaves the tender annuals may
be safely sown."
COLD-FRAMEs
As it is rather early to SOW seed in the
omen mir. q coid-frame may be made and
piants started in that, to be transpanted
hest method of preparing them is as follows:
Prepare f. good rich soil in q sunny part of
the garden, thoroughly pulyerize and level
the same: put on the frame and keep it
tightly closed for number of days, i'll order
that the soil my become thoroughly warmed.
The seed may then he sown in drills. In the
management Of the cold-trame the frame
sbould be kept closer than that OF the hot
bed, owing to the absence of the heating ma
terials which The latter contains.
A small handbook which is within reach
of those of the most limited means, can be
advantageously used to start seeds Oh small
scale.
TRANsPLANT1NG.
When your plants started in this way
have attained O growth of two or three
inches they are fit to be removed to the
place where they are wanted to bloom, II
the weather is suitable. The transplantlnS
should be done in showery weather or IN
the evening, and the soil should have pre-
yiously been spaded up, so as TO bring the
moist earth to the surface, and should DE
thoroughly pulverized. Set the plants IN
the proper depth and press the SOIL hrmly
about the roots, cover with little loose sou,
and your plant is set, and if properly Gone
no after-waterinS will be necessary except ID
very dry spots or during continued droughts.
After they have been set, the soil should
be frequently stirred until the plants cover
the ground, as it helps to keep down weeds,
and also keeps the soil moist under the sur
| fuce.
THE MAGDALEN SocIETY.-We learn that
committee Of the Magdalen Society will call
upon the citizens Of this city during the
present week for aid in establishing an asy,,
| ium. Unavoidable circumstances prevented
earlier action. Two applications were made