Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-04-09
Farm ann honsfboIo
Flowers Tor Spring Planting.

Now j. the time TO select our flower seeds
for spring planting. and would like TO
give few hints on the subject.
A. an ornamental foliage plant. think
the Amaranthu> far surpaSses any other. as
itproduces a striking efec; in the centre Of
flower beds. or mixed in with flowers. 1t
i most brilliant on poor soil, and Is half
hardy annual. 4 .SalicVfolius is the finest
variety. Il is OF a deep red color, and the
leaves are very long and pointed, 1t can
not be too highly recommended. Antirrh-
mum. more commonly called Suapdragon,
/, very snowy flower growing about two
feet high, and Towering well. II is a har-
dy perennial. The seeds should be sown
early. in spots or under glass. and when
large enough transplauted into the flower
beds, about six inches or more apart. The
Aster is 4 favorite of mine, and for pro-
fusion Of flowers and richness of display. il
+ unriyaled. 1t Is half-hardy annual
growing from ten to eighteen inches high.
Sow the seed early in the spring uuder
glass, or in pots in the house, and when
they are large enough transplant them in
10 the beds about one foot apart They
grow best in rich soil. Boltze's New Bol-
quet, Traufiaut's Peony lowered Perfec-
ti1l; a long name for you; and lastly the
New Giant Emperor. tall, strong grow
iu- variety. with immense flowers. The
flowers are few, but very double and beau
tifui. The Balsam, a well known hardy
annual, Is from one foot and half 10 two
fpes in height. Spotted Rose lowered
Balsam is very large variety, double and
with perfectly formed flowers. 1t is almost
a pretty a a rose. Can1ytult is a very
useful hardy annual for beds and bouquets,
and blooms better when cut. II is very
easy to grow. | never fail TO send for
Package of each color. They are white,
purple, crimson. and fragrant. The For
get-.ne-not i a very pretty little flower
growing about six inches high. 1t is ad-
apted to shady places, and will flourish
we'll on rock work
Where Time on Sorrows page Of gloom
Has fixed it, enyiOuS lot
Or swept the record from the tomb,
II saws FOrget-me-nOt:
And thl. i still the loveliesi flower,
The iaire>t OF the fair.
Vi All that deck my iady's bower,
Or bind her floating hair"
The ZInniaS, a splendid class of hardy
Annals grow. well in any soil. and make a
most brilliant show. They should he start
ed under glass, then transplanted about one
foot apart They bloom profusely till Fall.
Nerbenas are splendid bedding plants.
blooming all summer. Ii grown from the
seed, they should be treated as half-hardy
annuals. But l think Verbenas do better
if the plants are brought from the green
house. In few days after you set them
out they will begin to grow very fast, spread
ing all over the ground and covering them
selves with bloom. Ii is best to pick of
the Old flowers as they will bloom and
grow much better. The Sweetwilliam, a
hardy perennial, grows about one foot
high, and blooms profusely. 1t has a
most splendid appearance in May and
June. Fuschia or Ladies' ear drop" is
an elegant plant for pots or the garden.
In the garden they should have shady
situation, and the soil should be rich.
Gypsophila is q very small flower. usually
white. 1t is remarkable for not whiting
quick, and therefore is very useful for
decoration, or TO wear in the hair. The
flowers which have mentioned. together
with few others such as Stocks. Saliva
Pinks, Pelox. Riciaus major or Castor Oil
Plant "a SPLENDID foliage plan) and til,
fragrant Mgnonette, form very good list
Ornamental grasses are also desrabl,
for bouquets, both for summer and winter
For winter use, cut after Towering and ii,
in small punches, drying them in the shade
Pampas grass is most stately and magnif
cent grass in cultivation. ouaking gras
is very graceful; beautiful for bouquets
and easily grown. boston Cultieator.