Evening star., 1897-03-13


ther reflection.
That is a mistake. A very charming one
season flower garden may be had with
some trouble, but small expense. All de-
pends upon a careful selection and intelli-
gent cultivation of that class of plants
known as annuals-plants which make a
quick growth from seed sown in the spring.
bloom all summer, rpen their seed and
perish-completing their lives in one sea-
son.
Some of the most beautiful flowers known
belong to this class, and the variety of
form, color and habit of growth is
wonderful. Some study is required Of
the space and situation at your dis
posal, and also as to what result you most
desire to chieve-whether to make a
pretty show, merely, to shade a porch or
veranda, to cover unsightly fences or out
buildings, or to have an abundance of love-
ly fragrant blossoms for vases and bou-
quets.
The Easiest and the Cheapest.
The very easiest way to have an imme-
diate brilliant show is to buy the young
plants from the flower stands in the mar
kets, as soon as the season is sufficiently
advanced, and your beds and borders pre-
pared. But there are objections to this
pail II Is floIe expensive, ana the plants
having been raised In hot houses gener-
ally and not hardened off," are not sure
to thrive when suddenly transferred to
the open ground.
If you can procure those that have been
started in a cold frame-that is under
glass. but without artificial heat-the
plants will do well, but as before said 1t
is more expensive. unless you only want
few plants for a small bed. or box. The
cheapest way to secure a large number
of strong young plants is to start the seeds
yourself in boxes in the house, early in
March. or in cold frame out of doors
little later Most of the desirable sorts
can be bought for five and ten cents a
packet. and the sum of one dollar well in
vested will enable one with proper care
to have quantities of flowers. Get your
seeds OF local scotsman or of 4
reputable florist direct.
Plant in Boxes.
Procure number of shallow boxes,
about three or four inches Deep and not
too large to be easily handled when filled.
Bore. or burn with a hot iron,
number of holes in the bottom for drain
age: otherwise the soil will sour and mold
Begin with layer of bits of charcoal or
fine cinders; then fill to an inch from the
top with finely pulveriZed soil composed of
equal parts of leaf mold, mellow garden
soil and fine sand. The evening before
planting set these boxes in the bottom of
the tathtub and let the water stand
around, not over them. until the moisture
can he seen to have struck through the
soil. Then take the boxes out, set them
in warm place. and cover with sheets of
glass. or two or three thicknesses of pa-
per or flannel to keep them moist Next
morning the sell will be just right for sow
ing your seed.
This requires great judgment Large
seed. like those of the nasturtium should
be soaked over night and planted an inch
deep and an inch apart. Smaller seed,
a of fha
should be planted in rows half an inch deem
while the tiny seeds of the cosmos, petunia
and pansy should be merely strewn over
the surface, and lightly covered with fine
SOIL, s1fted over them and patted down.
Set the boxes In moderately warm placa
cover with the glass; paper or flannel and
When the earth looks dry moisten by set
ting them again into water. by keeping
damp. but not wet. Remove the covering
part OF time for air. but do not expose
to the full glare of the SUM-
When the Plants Appear.
when the tiny plants appear leave off
| the covers and give them light and air.
! Never drench them vita water They will
| damp orr and die if you do Water as
directed, or with an atomizer, and ALWAYS
! do this in the shade. AS the stalks grow
keep pushing the soil gently up around
them to give the rootlets more depth, and
When they have made from four to six
leaves. transplant to other boxes or to
| pots filled with the same soil. This is a
| very delicate process. indeed. Have the
SOIL previously moistened and warm Set
! each plant by itself in hole as deep as
its root requires without squeezing. hold
| ing 1t daintily by the top with one hand
while you gently fill the soil in with the
other
Keep the plants away from the light
! 1or week and water in the way described; ;
then bring to the window. But still cover
If the is bright and at night If the
room gets cold. AS the days become warm
er the boxes may be placed in the open
window, or on the porch. and so gradually
| hardened off" and made ready for their
| final home in the beds and borders. Seeds
| may be started also In flower pots, covered
with pane of glass. observing the same
rules. All this is somewhat laborious and
the result doubtful until one has ACQUIRED
experience. Conditions vary and with the
best intentions ana all possible enthusiasm.
one may fall where another succeeds Al
any rate 1t Is worth trying If one has more
time and patience than dollars But the
cold frame" method is far less trouble
some and far surer. This consists of a
| frame or boards covered with sash. set
! over Ded OF good prepared soil In sunny
depends upon the size of ones ambition
| but the shape should be such that the sash
| slopes Sharply. In large frame the sash
| '-.. ~ .iiooC ~ Siiuc III grooves. In
small one 1t can be managed without
The Cold Frame Method.
Start this the beginning of April. Plant
the seed in drills. the large seed always
about an inch deep, the smaller half as
deep. and the very fine ones on the sur
| face. lightly covering by sitting earth over
them Firm down" with q piece of board
| l should have said that before planting one
should add two or three inches of fine soil
| inside the frame. and keep the glass closed
| day or two to let the sun warm the earth
| thoroughly. On warm. bright days open
/ the SASH but close 1t toward night. Water
with fine sprinkler only when the earth
| looks dry. Shade. If the sun gets yery not
| by laying paper or an old sheet over the
| frame. In short, use the same Judgment
and Intelligence you would in any other
| undertaking.
Open Ground Planting.
If you have not time or courage for thesa
experiments. do as I do; buy some of the
slower-growing sorts, such as pansies. YER
| benas and petunias. all ready to set out:
plant them In the open ground. and
| simply exercise patience. There is not such
| great difference in time, after all: for
with average luck as 10 weather and
| proper care in selection, you may have
plenty OF flowers by the last of June
md vic