While the bulbs are coming rapidly forward into bloom, preparations
lor the earden which is to be the summer fflory and autumn pride, may be
attended to. We will assume that the seeds of annuals have been obtained ;
let us take some of the more tender varieties and sow them in boxes in the
house, so that they will be stout plants when wanted to set out in the open
ground in May and June. To nil out some of the beds, verbenas, pansies,
phloxes stocks, petunias»andthe various kinds of Japan pinks will be in
order, and all of these can be much forwarded into early bloom by being sown
in the house. Cigar boxes are very handv, but the bottom must first be per-
forated, and broken pots or shells put in the bottom for drainage. Then take
food, rich earth and rub it through a sieve, or your fingers will answer, to
Eike out all the lumps. Fill the boxes and then carefully sprinkle the seed
over the surface of the soil ; sift on enough soil to cover the seed, sprinkle
with water very gently, and then set in a rather dark place. If it is warm,
the seed will start earlier. A pane of glass laid over, or even a sheet of oiled
paper, is a great help. If you can give them a warm place, the seeds will
start sooner. We might here sugest the use of a Hot Bed, but this requires
more care in construction arid operation than an amateur can be supposed
to bestow. This is the way to proceed, however ; You take an old box, say-
about five or six feet long and tnree feet wide, and with an old window sash
lor a covering, you have what gardeners call a Cold Frame, A hole the size
of the box is dug two or three feet deep and filled in with straw^r manure
which should be well trampeled down until full. Put about six inches of
soil over the manure, and on this set your box, carefully heaping the earth
around the outside and put on the glass cover. In a few days the heat will
be up. when the top must be opened some to allow the firey heat to escape.
This done, put in the seed boxes. But whether you have a hot bed, or not,
once the seeds are sown let them remain in partial darkness several days, for
the seeds to swell, and keepthe earth moist ; if the seedlings ^et dry even
once, they are ruined. As soon as you see them sprouting give light and air ;
If not too cold ; or else the seedlings will spindle and die. When the tiny
little plants have four or more leaves ; transplant into small pots and there
let them grow until wanted to set in the beds. To do this, first dig a hole
and pour a little water into it, then turn the pot over, strike it a smart rap
and the ball of earth will come out with the plant : place it in the hole and
press the earth around it. Plants set out with b^lls go right to growing, and
seldom need any shading ; but it is well to transplant in the evening or on
a clear day. In the open air towards the last of April may be sown asters,
balsams, candytuft, phlox, petunias, zinnias, cockscomb, larkspur
and indeed almost any of the hardy annuals. These mentioned will l^ear
transplanting. Those who admire sweet peas should get the seed of these
in the open ground as soon as it can be worked. Plant about three inches
deep, and give brush for support.
Page 586
Presented as published in 1890. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
While the bulbs are coming rapidly forward into bloom, preparations lor the earden which is to be the summer glory and autumn pride, may be attended to. We will assume that the seeds of annuals have been obtained ; let us take some of the more tender varieties and sow them in boxes in the house, so that they will be stout plants when wanted to set out in the open ground in May and June. To nil out some of the beds, verbenas, pansies, phloxes, stocks, petunias, and the various kinds of Japan pinks will be in order, and all of these can be much forwarded into early bloom by being sown in the house. Cigar boxes are very handv, but the bottom must first be perforated, and broken pots or shells put in the bottom for drainage. Then take good, rich earth and rub it through a sieve, or your fingers will answer, to like out all the lumps. Fill the boxes and then carefully sprinkle the seed over the surface of the soil ; sift on enough soil to cover the seed, sprinkle with water very gently, and then set in a rather dark place. If it is warm, the seed will start earlier. A pane of glass laid over, or even a sheet of oiled paper, is a great help. If you can give them a warm place, the seeds will start sooner. We might here suggest the use of a Hot Bed, but this requires more care in construction arid operation than an amateur can be supposed to bestow. This is the way to proceed, however ; You take an old box, sayabout five or six feet long and three feet wide, and with an old window sash lor a covering, you have what gardeners call a Cold Frame, A hole the size of the box is dug two or three feet deep and filled in with straw or manure which should be well trampeled down until full. Put about six inches of soil over the manure, and on this set your box, carefully heaping the earth around the outside and put on the glass cover. In a few days the heat will be up. when the top must be opened some to allow the fiery heat to escape. This done, put in the seed boxes. But whether you have a hot bed, or not, once the seeds are sown let them remain in partial darkness several days, for the seeds to swell, and keepthe earth moist ; if the seedlings get dry even once, they are ruined. As soon as you see them sprouting give light and air ; If not too cold ; or else the seedlings will spindle and die. When the tiny little plants have four or more leaves ; transplant into small pots and there let them grow until wanted to set in the beds. To do this, first dig a hole and pour a little water into it, then turn the pot over, strike it a smart rap and the ball of earth will come out with the plant : place it in the hole and press the earth around it. Plants set out with balls go right to growing, and seldom need any shading ; but it is well to transplant in the evening or on a clear day. In the open air towards the last of April may be sown asters, balsams, candytuft, phlox, petunias, zinnias, cockscomb, larkspur and indeed almost any of the hardy annuals. These mentioned will bear transplanting. Those who admire sweet peas should get the seed of these in the open ground as soon as it can be worked. Plant about three inches deep, and give brush for support.