The Portland daily press., 1874-03-19
The Garden and the Farm,
FLOWERS FOR SPRING PLANTING.

Now is the time to select our flower seeds
for spring planting, ard i would like 10 give
few hints on the subject.
As an ornamental foliage plant, I think the
Amaranthus far surpasses any other, as it
produces striking effect in the centre Of
flower beds, or mixed in with flowers. 1t is
most brilliant on poor soil, and is a half-har-
dy annual. n SalicJolius is the finest varie
ty. 1t IS of deep red color, and the leaves
are very long and pointed. 1t cannot be too
highly recommended. Antirrhinum, more
commonly called Snapdragon, is a very snowy
flower growing about two feet high, and flow
ering well. 1t is hardy perennial. The
seeds should be sown early, in pots or under
glass, and when large enough transpanted
into the flower beds, about six inches or more
apart. The Aster is a favorite OF mine, and
for a profusion of flowers and richness of dis
play, il is unrivalled. 1t is halfhardy an
nual growing from ten to eighteen inches
high. Sow the seed early in the spring un-
der glass, or in pots in the house, and when
they are large enough transplant them into
the beds about one foot apart. They grow
best in rich soil. BoltZe's New Bouquet,
Truffauts Peony-fOwered Perfection; a long
name for you; and lastly the New Giant EN-
peror, tall, strong growing variety, with i'm
mense flowers. The flowers are few, but
very double and beautiful. The Balsam, a
well known hardy annual, is from one foot
and a half to two feet in height. Spotted
Rose-fowered Balsam is very large variety,
double and with perfectly formed flowers. 1t
is almost as pretty as rose. Candytuft is a
very useful hardy annual for beds and bou-
quets, and blooms better when cut. 1t is very
easy to grow. / never fail TO send for a pack
age of each color. They are white, purple,
crimson, and fragrant, The Forget-me-not
is very pretty littfe flower growing about six
inches high. 1t is adapted to shady places,
and will flourish we'll on rock work
Where Time on Sorrows page of gloom
Or swept the record from the tomb,
II saws Forget-me-not;
And this is still the lovellest flower,
The fairest of the fair,
of all that deck my ady's bower,
Or bind her floating hair"
The Hinnias, splendid class Of hardy an
nnals grow well in any soil, and make most
brilliant show. They should he started under
GLASS. then transplanted about one foot apart.
They bloom profusely till fall. Verbenas are
splendid bedding plants, blooming all summer.
Ii grown from the seed, they shonld be
treated a, half-hardy ANIMALS. But think
Verbenas do better if the plants are brought
from the greenhouse. In a few days after
Won set them out they will begin to grow
yery fast, spreading all over the ground and
covering themselves with bloom. 1t is best
to pick off the old flowers as they will bloom
and grow much better. The Sweetwiliam, a
hardy perennial, grows about one foot high,
and blooms profusely. 1t has most splen
did appearance in May and June. Fuschia
OR " Ladies' ear DROP" is an elegant plant I9l :
pots or the garden. In the garden they shou,1
have shady situation, and the SOL 8 snouu
be rich. Gypsophila is very small nowe,' we,
nsnalv white. 1t is remarkable tor not wilt
inc nnickly. and therefore is very useful ior
daeeoJration' the or to wear in the hair The
flowers which 1 have mentioned together
With a few Others, such as Stocks, Saliva,
pinks. Pblox, Ricinus major or Castor-Oil
plant Ia splendid foliage pant)and the ffa-
Grant Mignonette, form very good list.
Ornamental grasses are also desirable for
bonnl,ets. boih for summer and winter. For
winter use, cut after Towering, and tie up in
small punches, drying them in the shade
Pamnas grass is the most stately and magnif-
cent Grass in cultivation. Quaklng grass is
verv graceful; beautiful for bouquets ana
easy grown. Boston Cultlvator.
PREPARE FOR SPRING.
Get the seeds to be used on the farm ready.
! Don't wait until planting and sowing time to