FLOWERS ALL THE YEAR ROUND FROM SEEDS AND ROOTS

Before proceeding to the duties which need attention in successive months of the year, it may be worth while to consider some of the points which constitute the alphabet of flower culture.  To grow any plant in a pot is an artificial proceeding, and the conditions for its sustenance and health have to be provided.  Among these conditions are temperature and accommodation.  It is useless to attempt to grow flowers which require heat unless that necessity can be met.  And it is equally useless to pot more plants than the space will accommodate when they attain their full size.  A limited number, well grown, will produce a greater wealth of bloom, of finer quality, than a larger number which become feeble from deficiency of space for development.  Nevertheless, there are many varieties raised in heat in the early months of the year which can be grown and flowered in the most satisfactory manner, without any kind of artificial aid, from sowings made in the open ground during April or May.  The flowering will be somewhat later than from plants brought forward under glass; but as they receive no check from the very commencement, they will not be greatly behind their nursed relations; and they may even excel them in robust beauty, if they are treated intelligently and with a generous hand.

==Good Soil== for pot plants is not always obtainable at a reasonable cost, and sometimes the materials at hand must be made to serve the purpose.  None the less is it true, that in proportion to the skill and experience of the cultivator will be his desire to secure a supply of loam, peat, and leaf-mould.  Those who are capable of turning poor soil to the best account are precisely the men who will be most anxious to obtain the materials which are known to promote the luxuriant growth of pot plants.

The top spit of an old pasture makes capital potting soil.  If taken from light land, it need only be stacked for one year before use.  A heavy loam should be kept for at least two seasons, and in any case the heap should be turned and re-made several times.  A slight sprinkling of soot between the layers of soil will be beneficial, and help to make it distasteful to grubs, wireworms, and other vermin.  The frequent turning of the heap will not be wasted labour, for it equalises the quality, and tends to sweeten the whole by exposing new surfaces to the atmosphere; and this is a great aid to healthy growth.

Many plants thrive in peat, or in soil of which peat is a constituent, and some flowers cannot be grown without it.  The peat may have to be purchased from a distance, but there is no difficulty in obtaining it.

A constant supply of decayed leaf-mould may possibly be arranged on the spot by sweeping up leaves and making a fresh heap every fall.  In due time these leaves will decay and make useful potting soil.  If this is out of the question, the requisite quantity must be purchased.