ANNUALS FOR AUTUMN SOWING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 10

ANNUALS FOR AUTUMN SOWING.

There are few localities in which autumn sown hardy annuals "will not flourish with ordinary care, and if sown during this and next month an earlier and better show of bloom will be obtained than from spring sowings. The seeds must be sown in fairly good soil, which has been well worked. By the time the soil has had a good soaking of rain and got dry enough to be pleasant to handle, it would be ready for the reception of the seeds. Annuals and perennials sown at this season germinate freely, and the plants grow strong and hardy, and are ready to put out early in spring, and the annuals are scon in flower. Sweat peas sown in March commence to bloom quite early in spring, and continue right through the summer if they get good supplies of water and are not allowed to ripen seed. During autumn, winter, and early spring weeds must be kept down by careful hoeing as they appear. This hceing will keep the soil nice and open, and except in frosty weather water must be given during dry spells. There are so many flower seeds which might with advantage be sown now that to enumerate all would take up too much space, so I will only mention a few of the leading varieties. Of candytufts we have several lovely shades of colour. The giant spiral is a particularly fine variety, with grand spikes of pure white flowers. Carnation Margarita are a beautiful class of sweetecented carnations, which if sown now will flower early next summer, and yield about 80 per cent, of double blooms of rich and varied colours, which will be found useful for cutting. Gaillardias are a ueeful class of perennials, which if sown during autumn come early into bloom, and are most useful for cutting. Dianthus lacinatus are always admired. The large lacinated and bright-coloured blooms are very attractive. Godetias are another class of hardy annual which make a wonderful show in beds or borders. Sweet sultans are showy annuals of easy culture, and prized for bouquets. The varieties are white, yellow, and purple. East Lothian stocks are too well known to need comment. These and the other biennial stocks require sowing in March to flower during summer. Wallflower of both single and double varieties are popular on account of their fragrance, and the newer large flowering varieties are particularly fine. Sow now for blooming in spring. The beautiful Iceland poppies are perennial, but, sown during autumn, they bloom early next season, and better than if spring sown. Clarkias, nemophiia, silene, schizanthue, poppy, larkspur, and cornflower are but a few of the suitable annuals for autumn sowing.