reverse conditions. Pansies are the easiest of plants to grow from seed,
and they offer a ready response to experiments with cross-fertilization.
The very best time to sow plants is after midsummer. Anyway, the work
must be done before October the first. Let us claim then that the middle
of August is a good time. Make little drills a quarter of an inch deep
for the seed; or better, sprinkle it on a fine seed bed. Over the seed
sift a little soil. Pansy seed is fine and small, so great care must be
taken in the early waterings; better far to cover the bed with old
sacking, and water the sacking. In this way, the seed is not washed
away. The little sturdy plants should be covered over with leaves or
straw for the wintertime. When early spring comes, you will be delighted
with plants which are well along.

"Pansy flowers should always be kept well picked. Do not let the seed
pods form if you desire continuous bloom. It is well to hold this in
mind--that if plants are hurried along too fast, the flowers suffer in
size. Small, inferior flowers result from such treatment. Pansies have a
habit of running out--that is, the flowers grow smaller each year. It is
merely a warning to keep making new sowings in order that one may always
have large, vigorous blooms.

"Choice seed of this flower is very expensive. It is a plant that some
florists have put all their time upon. It has seemed to certain men that
one of the greatest things in the world, is to find out ways of
improving the plants of the earth. So certain fruits are crossed to make
new and better ones; and certain flowers are being constantly worked
over to get superior strains. Sweet peas, pansies, stock, and dahlias
are plants which have been much improved by man's skill.

"Larkspur is one of those plants which children so rarely try. I have