File:Annual descriptive catalogue of seeds - for the vegetable garden, for the flower garden, for the lawn, for the farm, for the nursery (1886) (18420904512).jpg

Title: Annual descriptive catalogue of seeds : for the vegetable garden, for the flower garden, for the lawn, for the farm, for the nursery
Identifier: annualdescriptiv1886jmth (find matches)
Year: 1886 (1880s)
Authors: J. M. Thorburn & Co; Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection
Subjects: Commercial catalogs New York (State) New York; Vegetables Seeds Catalogs; Plants, Ornamental Catalogs; Trees Catalogs; Flowers Seeds Catalogs; Fruit Seeds Catalogs
Publisher: New York : Jas. M. Thorburn & Co.
Contributing Library: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Digitizing Sponsor: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library

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—WITH— Practical Directions for their Culture, Treatment, k, HAUDY ANNUALS (hA).—Sow in April or May, according to ihe latitude, in shallow boxes or pots placed in a warm window, a hot-bed, or, if possible, in a green-house. A second sowing ought to be made from two to four weeks after for a succession, as well as to provide against failure the first time. For sowing seeds in, there is nothing better than shal- low boxes from two to three inches deep, and of any convenient size. The proper soil in which to sow seeds of all the smaller kinds should be a very fine, rich, sandy loam; if some fine charcoal can be mixed with it, it will be beneficial. The soil from old hot-beds is excelleot, or sods from an old pasture piled up and allowed to rot for two or three years, and then mixed with a little old stable manure and sand. The selection of a proper soil in which to show fine seeds is very important, as upon this depends the success or failure of them. After the seeds are up, care must be taken to give them plenty of air and moisture, and yet not too much water, or they will damp off. When the young plants are well out of the seed leaf, they must be transplanted to new boxes. If pots two inches or more in diameter can be had, set out from three to a dozen or more of the young seedlinajs around the edges of the pots, so that as soon as the ground is warm enough they may be easily turned out and planted singly, as by that time they will have made good roots. Where the pots cannot be had, boxes, tin cans, etc., may be substituted, or a cheap and effective plan is to take out the inside of a potato or turnip, leaving a shell half an inch thick. After filling these with the compost above referred to, set out the seedlings in them, and place the whole in boxes, filling in the spaces between the potatoes or turnips with soil. When the plants are ready to set in the open ground it is an eas}' matter to transplant them, and as the decay of the turnips or potatoes affords nourishment to the young plants, a double purpose is served in using them. A common mistake in sowing Flower, as well as other seeds, is in covering too deep. As a general rule, cover only to the depth of the thickness of the seeds, or with medium-sized seeds like Balsams, Zinnias, etc., a half an inch or so is none too much. Such fine seeds as Portu- lacas need only to be pressed into the soil with a piece of board or the palm of the hand. Always press the earth down firmly after sowing all Flower seeds, else there is danger of their drying up before the roots can get firmly hold of the soil. Seeds of the hardier Annuals may be sown where the}'are to grow, but, as a rule, it is preferable to transplant, as the plants are generally stronger and stand the drought better. During very dry weather, and when the S'jedliiigs are first set out, they should be watered frequently. Provide some support for all such Annuals as require it, else the plants become weak and straggling, and do not make the show they otherwise would. The weeds should be kept down and the ground loosened often, so that the plants will receive the full benefit of the rains and dews, which they will not if the ground is allowed to become hard and baked. Seeds of Biennials and some Hardy Annuals may be sown in September in boxes and placed in cold frames. They will make fine strong plants by Spring, and come into flower early. Do not put on the sashes untd heavy rains and frosts render this necessary, and then alwa^'s remove during the day, and whenever the temperature is above freezing in Winter. i.

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