14 PROPAGATION" OF TROPICAL FRUIT TREES, ETC. 



sufficient distances from each other to cover less than half the space. 

 About an inch of half-decayed leaves is then placed over the seeds and 

 pressed down firmly, the sowing being- completed by slightly dampen- 

 ing the surface with a sprinkler. 



If the surface layer of rotted leaves becomes dry at any time a 

 gentle watering should be given, taking care not to soak the contents 

 of the boxes. It is undoubtedly a safe plan to keep the contents of 

 the boxes rather dry than otherwise during the sprouting period. 



TRANSPLANTING YOUNG SEEDLINGS. 



Germination is somewhat irregular; the first sprouts will appear in 

 three or four weeks after sowing, but others will continue to appear 

 for several weeks later. Nothing is gained, rather the reverse, by 

 transplanting the seedlings when quite young; it is best to wait until 

 the leaves of the first growth change from reddish brown to dark 

 green. The seedlings can then be transplanted without wilting. 



By the time the leaves of the seedlings reach a deep-green color a 

 considerable quantity of roots will have formed which are capable of 

 being removed from the flats without much injury, and if proper care 

 is exercised in those cases where there are several plantlets from the 

 same seed they may be disentangled successfully. Strong seedlings 

 may go directly into 4-inch pots. Deep bamboo pots are much to be 

 preferred when available, as owing to their greater depth there is less 

 danger of the roots becoming matted while in the pots. 



Immediately after the potting comes the crucial period in the life of 

 the seedling, because there is danger of the leaves flagging, through 

 the loss of a great deal of sap at a time when the roots are not in a 

 condition to replace it. Therefore, until the roots gradually recover, 

 it is advisable to keep the plants in a shaded house or frame and at the 

 same time to supply a fairly humid atmosphere. 



There is no necessity for keeping the young plants in pots for a long 

 period. When the second or third growth has been made and hard- 

 ened considerably, the new roots will have taken sufficient hold of the 

 soil to insure the successful growth of the plant after it has been set 

 out in its permanent position. 



The soil to be used in potting should consist of fibrous loam, with 

 sand and leaf mold in small quantities. In potting, the soil should 

 not be rammed very firm for fear of bruising the roots, which are 

 unusually tender. While the seedlings are in the pots watering will 

 have to be performed as carefully as when in the seed boxes, to 

 prevent souring of the soil and the consequent rotting of the roots. 



IMPORTING MANGO SCIONS. 



Scions of the improved varieties of the mango cost much less than 

 plants to import from India and elsewhere in the Orient, but as a rule 



