Mexico Missouri message., 1913-05-22
tBy II. F. GFINsTEADD


Whether your flower garden is to
De square rod against city
wall, or the ample grounds of
the country home, there will always
be place for the ANIMALS. 1t often
happens that one wishes to change
the location of the flower beds from
year to year. which is impossible with
everlasting kinds; then the ANNALS
bring quick results.
Most ANNALS grow we'll from seed
sown in drills or broadcast where
they are to stand, but it is often de-
sirable to have them started early,
which can be done by sowing in a
hotbed or window box and transplant
ing to the open ground after all dan
ger from frost has passed. Well-rot-
Ted leaf mold or other vegetable ma
nure is best for flowers.
The aster is one of the most desir-
able of the ANNALS, and rivals the
most rare and difficult growers in
point of beauty and hardness. II
commends itself to general planting
with its great variety of color and
from the fact that it may be planted
close or the tall growing sorts may
be given more room. They are a
late boomer, coming when others
have failed Seed sown in the open
ground In May will bloom in October
or late in September, while for
blooms in Lly and August the seed
must be sown in the hotbed or win
dow box In March. Cover the seed
lightly, and when the plants have
three or four leaves transfer them to
small pots or another part of the bed,
setting them two inches apart each
way. After all danger of frost is
past they may be transplanted to the
open ground to stand is inches
apart. Well-rotted manure should be
used with a small quantity of ashes
mixed in with the soil.
The California poppy, or Escholt-
zia, is one of the comparatively new
creations, and is surely one OF the
most beautiful The seed are small
and should be scattered on the sur
face of the soil and covered very
little by having loose soil sifted over
them. When they are allowed to
seed they will come every year in the
same place without further seeding
They are also desirable pot plants.
Candytuft is easily grown by SOW
ing the seed in the open and tin
ming later in the season. This annual
Is more desirable for edging and Dor
ders, and a succession of bloom may
no haH hxr on
Long rows of marigold are beauti-
full the range of color being great,
and the size differing greatly from
the dwarf to the tall African varie.
ties. The French marigold does bet
ter and comes much earlier if the
plants are grown in boxes and later
transplanted once or twice before be-
ing set out OF doors. A foot apart
is none too far for the marigold to
stand
Mignonette is so easily grown that
every garden must have it. The
flowers are modest and very fragrant.
While the average size of the plant is
less than a foot in height, it is of
compact growth and mass of bloom
till November
The Zinnia is hardy, like the mari
gold, and does best in rich soil and
the plants will be more stocky and
better boomers If the seed are sown
In the house and later transplanted
once or twice There is a great
variety of color as we'll as form in
| the blossoms.
The sweet william, which is a kind
of pink, is an old-time favorite and
easily grown by following the meth,
DDS laid down for most OF the an.
nuals. 1t is rather hardy. and the
seed may be soWn in the spring in
the open ground about complaining
time. Tie Scotch pink or grass pink
is another favorite Of the same fam.
lily. and is grown in the same way.
Few annual plants are more easily
grown from seed than is the Phlox
Drummondi, and there is such a great
variety and wealth OF bloom that a
few plants make a large showing. II
can be sown In the open or in boxes
as you wish late or early bloom. The
plants should be thinned or set q
foot apart; II crowded they are sub