Petunias do well in the early beds, but also flourish and bloom finely if their planting is deferred until the torenia, portulaca, cypress, zinnia, tageta and real midsummer flowers are planted. None of these last do any better for early planting. They will not bloom until their season, summer, no matter how early they are planted. The beautiful fall bloomer, cosmos, may be classed with them. Snapdragons, carnations and verbena do not bloom in early spring from seed, but require an early start to bloom in summer as their growth is not rapid. Sanvitalia, vinca, and a long list of annuals are beautiful and well worth raising. Annuals are cheap, but they subserve a purpose and nothing quite takes their place, and I confess to a liking for flowers which I have raised from seeds. It is easy to exaggerate the beauty of anything that stands in striking contrast to its surroundings, but these plant beds early in the season, green and growing, ahead of everything else, are as pretty as a picture, and the young, crisp, green vegetables are suggestive and appetizing.
If twenty-five years of putting Mr. Vick’s seeds in the ground does not entitle me to render a verdict in their favor as the best to be had, then experience counts for nothing. A sure return for every seed put in the ground is the answer they give to the question “What shall the harvest be?”
Further north, doubtless, cold frames are better for early planting of seeds, but in the South the plants are more healthy and stand transplanting much better for exposure to the moderate cold of the early season in their rich, warm little plant beds.
Mrs. G. T. Drennan.
Lexington, Miss.
March Work.—At this time, the dividing line between winter and spring, finish all the pruning in the open grounds. Grape vines, fruit trees, deciduous hedges, and roses and many other plants will need attention. In this climate sow peas as soon as the ground can be put in order. Start hotbeds, and cold frames. Look after those flower seeds which should be sowed early in the house.
HELPS IN ECONOMY.
Stylish Gowns of Handsome Color at Small Cost—Diamond Dyes Make Old Clothes Look Like New—Two Useful Books Given Away.