REPORTS OF AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 247 



out and also kept as near as possible in total darkness until the seeds have 

 sprouted, when the covering should be gradually removed. 



Let me emphasize this point, for more depends upon it than a casual 

 observer might think. Cover the seed bed or box in some way so as to keep it 

 dark until the seeds begin to grow, and if they have any life in them they will 

 not disappoint you. Use warm water and apply slowly with a sprinkler having 

 a fine rose, or as an alternative use a whisk broom, but do not pour it on as is 

 sometimes done and wash half the seeds out of the ground. Keep the surface 

 of the soil moist but not too wet. Close watching is necessary. 



CARE OF YOUNG PLANTS. 



As soon as they are up nicely stir the ground frequently with a sliarp stick 

 or an old fork, and whenever it appears dry sprinkle with tepid water. If they 

 come up too thick, thin out freely, for you had better have a few good strong 

 plants than a lot of weak spindling ones. 



Sometimes young plants in seed leaf are attacked by a minute fungus and 

 suddenly wither up or damp off. If you notice any such symptoms trans- 

 plant at once into shallow boxes prepared the same as for the seed. This makes 

 a little extra work sometimes, but it is a sure cure; and as thousands of plants 

 may be destroyed in a night, it doesn't pay to run any risk, for your plants will 

 be all the stronger and better for transplanting. 



PREPARATION OF FLOWER BEDS. 



Determine the shape, then drive sharp sticks in the ground close together, 

 drawing a stout cord around them. Cut the margin carefully and if the soil is 

 very poor throw out four or five inches of it and put in its place a mixture of 

 well rotted manure and light garden soil about ten inches deep. This will raise 

 the center a few inches higher than the outer edge, which is very desirable for 

 draina;; ; and the flowers will appear to much better advantage. 



If the soil is already very rich apply a mixture of clear sand and light garden 

 soil five or six inches deep, thoroughly mixing and pulverizing the soil for ten 

 or twelve inches. Eemove all stones aad sticks by carefully raking the surface 

 smooth and clean. 



TRANSPLANTING. 



Choose a cloudy, moist time if possible, and water the seed bed thoroughly so 

 that in lifting np the young plants with a trowel or old knife the tiny fibrous 

 roots will not be broken, but instead there will be a ball of earth clinging to 

 them. You will need to make the holes larger to receive the plants, but so 

 much the better. Fasten the end or lower half of the root by pressing the dirt 

 firmly against it from the side; then fill up with fine soil, leaving the surface 

 loose. If the earth is very dry pour a pint of water in the hole before you put 

 in the plant, and if the sun comes out bright, shade with shingles or leaves. 



A piece of stiff, brown paper wrapped loosely around the stalk so that the 

 lower edge comes just below the soil will prevent the ravages of cut worms. 



LOCATION AND EFFECT. 



A good location for a flower bed may be in front of the main entrance to your 

 dwelling or opposite a conspicuous bay window, or at a curve in the walk; but 

 beds bordering on a walk or in the center of a lawn are not considered in accord- 

 ance with good taste. Size is not always an element of beauty ; a small bed nicely 

 proportioned and neatly arranged produces a far better effect than a mass of 



