124 I^ioral M)tes. 



Second — There is not warmth enough to cause the seed to sprout. 



Third — The seeds were planted too deep. 



But very often the seeds sprout, and yet the little plants fail to grow and mature. 

 The following are the reasons: 



The ground, as before, is not of the right kind, or is lumpy, or otherwise in poor 

 condition. 



The ground dries and bakes in the sun, whereby the delicate plants are dried up 

 and destroyed. 



The plants, if covered with glass, are permitted to get too hot, and are burned up. 



To avoid these difficulties, see to it, in the first place, that the soil is suitable, and 

 in proper condition. Select a rich mellow loam, sandy enough to keep from baking. 

 Thoroughly rotted chip manure, mixed with earth and fine sand, or old earthy stable 

 manure, with sand or ashes, or loamy earth from the woods mixed, if necessary, with 

 sand or ashes, will generally answer the purpose. Whatever ingredients are used, 

 recollect that the soil must be rich, mellow and non-baking in the sun. 



Having this sort of soil, see next that it is without lumps, chips, or gravel. It will 

 be best to pass it through sieve, especially the part that is to form the upper part of 

 the bed. A common corn-meal sieve will answer the purpose. In covering small 

 seed it will be well to sift the soil over them through a hair or thin cloth sieve. 



Seed-Bed. — If no hot-bed or cold-frame is to be used, let the seed-bed be made (out 

 of the soil selected, or prepared as above) in some situation in the garden, sheltered 

 from the cold winds, and having a southern exposure. Then, as soon as the ground 

 becomes warm, say early in April, sow the seed on the surface and cover them with a 

 little fine earth. If the seed be small the earth ought to be sifted upon them. Be 

 careful not to cover the seed too deep. As good a rule perhaps as can be suggested 

 is to cover them about twice the depth of their own thickness. 



Do not permit the soil to become too dry. Should the weather be dry after sow- 

 ing, cover the small seeds with a thin layer of moss, or better, with cedar twigs, or 

 with boards elevated so as to be a few inches above the bed. This partial protection 

 will prevent, in a measure, the drying action of the wind and sun. Recollect, how- 

 ever, that as soon as the plants appear above the soil, the covering must be removed. 

 The soil must be kept damp, but not too wet. Sprinkle the bed at or after sundown. 

 The bed should be raised enough to allow of good drainage. 



If the plants are too thick when they come up, it will be best to thin them out. In 

 sowing, let them be thrown evenly and thinly. They are to be transplanted when 

 they have obtained their second leaves and are an inch or two long. The seed-bed 

 is intended to be a help in the cultivation of tender flower-plants. The more hardy 

 kinds can be sowed where they are to grow. Some persons sprout choice seed in a 

 shallow box containing suitable earth, and kept in the house window. The seed-bed 

 in the garden, it must be recollected, will require especial attention, should the 

 nights happen to be frosty. — Rural Stin. 



livffoiilas. 



This class of plants is better suited for house culture than those more commonly 

 selected. Succulent plants delight in a hot, dry atmosphere. The bloom of the 

 Begonia Magnitica is most beautiful and constant — the petals resemble frosted glass ; 

 it has a very delicate, spicy perfume. I have had a specimen in bloom since the first 

 of October. The flower closes at sunset. It requires plenty of water while bloom- 

 ing. — Am. Farmer. 



Wuteriiif/ Phnifs. 



It is an injury to frequently water plants on the surface soil. Reflection will con- 

 vince any one that a pot full of soil cannot receive sufficient water to thoroughly wet 

 the roots. It is time saved, once a week, to place the plants in a deep vessel of 

 water, keep in the water until the air bubbles cease ; also sponge over and under the 

 foliage. It will keep the plants healthy. — Ayn. Farmer. 



