AUGUST

Annuals and Biennials, Hardy.--In the majority of English gardens the

spring display of bulbous flowers is too often followed by a dreary

blank, which is almost unredeemed by a touch of colour, except that

afforded by the late Tulips and a few other flowers which are relatively

unimportant. The brilliance of the Crocuses, Hyacinths, and early Tulips

serves to throw into relief the comparative barrenness which follows.

And the contrast is rendered all the more striking by the cheerful

spring days. It is at this juncture that annuals and biennials from

summer or early autumn sowings light up the garden with welcome masses

and bands of fresh and vivid colouring. They are then so valuable that

it is surprising they are not more commonly grown, especially as the

cost of seed is very trifling. Even the transitory character of some of

them is an element in their favour, for they do not interfere with the

summer bedding arrangements. Such flowers as Pansy and Viola, however,

produce a long-continued show of bloom.



The following list contains the varieties which are best adapted for

the purpose:--



Alyssum, Sweet

Antirrhinum

Asperula azurea setosa

Calandrinia umbellata

Calendula officinalis fl. pl.

Candytuft

Cheiranthus Allionii

Chrysanthemum, Morning Star

Chrysanthemum, Evening Star

Chrysanthemum inodorum plenissimum

Chrysanthemum segetum gr.

Clarkia

Collinsia

Coreopsis

Cornflower

Erysimum

Eschscholtzia

Gilia tricolor

Godetia

Iceland Poppy

Larkspur, dwarf rocket

Leptosiphon

Limnanthes Douglasii

Linaria, pink

Nemophila

Nigella, Miss Jekyll

Papaver glaucum

Phacelia tanacetifolia

Poppy, Shirley

Saponaria calabrica

Scabious

Silene

Sweet Sultan

Venus' Looking-glass, purple

Virginian Stock

Viscaria

Whitlavia



Sow thinly, not later than the middle of the month in cold districts,

but September will be early enough in the Southern counties. Drills are

preferable to broadcasting, because the beds are more easily weeded and

kept in order. Thin the rows early, so that the plants may become stout

and hard before winter overtakes them. Early in the new year

transplanting must be resorted to during open weather if the plants are

to be flowered in heavy soil; but on light, rich land, sow where they

are intended to bloom.



Annuals under Glass.--The flowers available for winter and spring

blooming are naturally few in number compared with those which fill

gardens and conservatories during the summer months. But it is not

generally realised that several favourite outdoor annuals are as

serviceable for flowering under glass in the short days of the year as

they are for growing in the open ground in summer, and they are the more

valuable for winter and spring use as no elaborate system of cultivation

is needed. Any greenhouse or conservatory from which frost can be

excluded will grow these annuals well. Seed should be sown in August or

September, in pots or pans placed in a cool house or frame. When the

seedlings have made some progress, prick them off into the pots in

which they are wanted to flower, and grow steadily on, bearing in mind

always that the most important point is to keep the plants as hardy as

possible by giving air at every favourable opportunity. The following

varieties are especially suitable for winter and spring flowering under

glass:--Alonsoa; The Star and Dunnettii varieties of Annual

Chrysanthemum; Clarkia elegans; Dimorphotheca; Gypsophila elegans;

Linaria; Nemesia Suttoni; Nicotiana, Miniature White and N. affinis;

Phlox, Purity; Salpiglossis; and Swan River Daisy.



Asters for indoor decoration should now be lifted from beds or borders

and potted. It is worth a little trouble to accomplish the task with the

least possible injury or disturbance to the roots. Light soils should

have a good soaking of water on the previous evening, to prevent the

mould from crumbling away.



Carnation.--Seed may still be sown as advised in April; but to carry

the plants safely through the winter it is necessary to have them strong

before cold weather sets in.



Chionodoxa can be forced with the same ease as Roman Hyacinths. A

48-sized pot will accommodate several bulbs.



Cinerarias are frequently placed in the open during this month and

September, and as it tends to impart a hardy constitution, the practice

is to be commended. A north border under a wall will suit them, but the

proximity of a hedge should be avoided. Before the plants are put out

see that they are quite clean, or it may be necessary to restore them to

the house in order to rid them of some troublesome pest.



Clarkia.--The varieties of the Elegans class make very handsome pot

plants, and to insure the requisite number seed must be sown in

well-drained pots during this month or early in September.



Cyclamen.--Where Cyclamens are extensively grown it is usual to make

the first sowing in August, and many gardeners regard this as the most

important period for securing healthy young seedlings. A common mistake

with beginners is to raise them in too high a temperature. On this and

other points useful suggestions will be found in the article commencing

on page 256.



Dianthus.--Either now or a little later transfer seedlings to

flowering quarters, and if possible put them into sandy loam in a sunny

spot.



Freesia.--Few and simple are the conditions necessary to the

well-being of this beautiful and delicately scented flower. The fine

specimens to be seen occasionally in cottagers' windows in the Isle of

Wight attest the ease with which it can be grown in a congenial

atmosphere. The bulbs are exceedingly small in proportion to the

flowers, and the rootlets are so fragile that potting on is to be

avoided. A 48-sized pot will hold five or six bulbs, and the soil should

consist largely of decaying vegetable fibre, such as peat, leaf-mould,

and turfy loam. The pots can be stood in any sheltered position out of

doors, under a covering of cocoa-nut fibre or other light material,

until the foliage begins to grow.



Geranium.--A sowing in August will supply plants for flowering next

summer, and the directions given in February are suitable, save that

heat can now be dispensed with. These late seedlings will need more care

to carry them through the winter than plants raised earlier in the year.



Gerbera.--These charming flowers make admirable subjects for the

greenhouse and conservatory, and an excellent display may also be

obtained outdoors if a sunny well-drained part of the garden be selected

for the plants. August is the best month for sowing seed. Plants

required for indoor blooming should be potted on as may become

necessary. Those for the open ground must be thoroughly hardened off for

planting out in the early summer of the succeeding year.



Hyacinths, Italian and Roman.--Obtain the bulbs as early as possible,

and pot them promptly. Place them in any spare corner of the open

ground, where they can be covered with cocoa-nut fibre or leaf-mould

until the roots are formed. A child can grow these flowers; and they

should be largely employed for bouquets and for indoor decoration during

the dark winter days.



Mignonette.--For winter flowering sow in 48-or 32-sized pots, filled

with light rich soil. Put the seed in little groups, thin to three or

five plants in each pot, and give them the benefit of full daylight

close to the glass. When flowering commences do not allow seed to form.

If the spikes which have passed the heyday of perfection are cut off,

the plants will break again and flower a second time.



Narcissi.--The first potting of early varieties is made this month as

soon as the bulbs can be obtained.



Pelargonium.--The remarks under Geranium apply to this flower also.



Picotee.--Follow the instructions given for Carnation.



Schizanthus.--To do full justice to this flower seed should be sown

now for plants to be kept through the winter in any house which is

sufficiently warm to exclude frost.



Scilla praecox, or sibirica.--The treatment which suits Roman

Hyacinths will answer for this bulb also, when required for flowering

indoors. The two form an admirable harmony in blue and white.



Silene.--All the most useful varieties of Catchfly are hardy against

cold, but not entirely so against damp. They possess a special value for

their sparkling appearance in spring. Sow in light sandy soil, in which

they will pass the winter safely. On a heavy loam the transplanting

system must be resorted to in February or March.



Stock, Intermediate.--This section is valuable for indoor decoration

in spring. No artificial heat is necessary to raise the seed; in fact,

it is not wise to employ it. Either in this month or early in September

sow the required number of pots and plunge them in ashes in a frame

until March. Thin the seedlings to three in each pot. Before flowering,

a rich top-dressing will be beneficial; and manure water--weak at first,

but stronger by degrees--will intensify the colours.



Stock, Spring-flowering.--A bed prepared under trees or shrubs will

afford some shelter from winter frost. Make it thoroughly rich, and in

it plant the seedlings. Should the growth be very rapid in September,

the plants will probably become too succulent to endure the stress of

winter. If so, lift them and plant again on the same spot.



Sweet Pea.--The modern culture of this delightful flower includes deep

trenching and the liberal use of manure. Those who intend to sow during

September in the open must get the trenched ground into perfect order

early in the present month. The details are important and are fully

described in the article commencing on page 303.