M6 ' MISOSURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



bnnch of sphagnum moss is not to be commended unless the moss is 

 chopped up fine. 



SOWING SEEDS. 



If you have a greenhouse you can sow at any time; if a hot-bed, 

 after the middle of February; if only a cold frame, then not before 

 April ; if a window only, it depends on the warmth of the room 

 whether you sow at once or wait till the end of the month. Seeds re- 

 quire heat and moisture to induce them to vegetate, and light to de- 

 velop healthy seedlings. 



For the window use pots, pans, boxes, plates, saucers, or anything 

 that will held a little soil and let surplus water drain off readily. Light 

 sandy soil as old leaf mould or fine wood soil mixed with sand is good ; 

 fill the vessel nearly to the brim, firm the soil by giving tbe vessel a 

 sharp tap on the table but don't pack the soil with your hand, sow 

 evenly over the surface and cover very thinly with fine earth. Then 

 water gently through a fine spray rose, and place the vessels near the 

 light but shade them from sunshine, and protect from draughts and 

 drip. 



Remove each and every bit of mould-fungus as soon as you see it, 

 and when the seedlings come up, prick them off as soon as you can 

 handle them, into other pots or boxes. The great thing to guard 

 against in the hot-bed is "damp." Hot-beds must be ventilated else 

 the germinating seedlings are apt all to mould off. 



Oentaureas ("Dusty JVlillers"), Yincas, Verbenas, Globe Amar- 

 anths, Cockscombs, Celosias, Golden Feather Pyrethrum, Lobelias 

 and other plants that take considerable time before they become large 

 enough to set out should be sown as soon as possible. Stocks, Asters, 

 Marigolds, Zinnias, single Dahlias and other rank and quick growing 

 plants are time enough in April. There is nothing gained by raising 

 plants so early that we have to keep them in stunted condition till we 

 can find room for them ; from the moment a seedling is started till it 

 attains its full proportions we should be ready to grow it along un- 

 checked, else we had better delay its existence till we can give it the 

 room and attention it requires. 



RAISING PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS. 



Soft wooded plants like Coli-uses, Iresines, Verb?nas, Ageratums, 

 Stevias, G^zanias, double white Feverfew, Nasturtiums, German Ivy 

 and Heliotropes root easily and quickly from cuttings at this time of 

 the year, so too do cuttings of the young growths of shrubby plants as 



