404 



Journal of Agriculture, yicioria. [lo June, 191 i- 



Australia, considering its extent, is singularly endowed, in respect to- 

 climate, for the production of agricultural products. With many of our 

 annual plants two crops can be grown in the year. This is particularly 

 so where water is available; while in some of the European countries only 

 one is procurable. The above terms in respect to the qualities of seeds are- 

 not necessarily accurate and are, in fact, often likely to lead one astray. 

 Considered from an economic standpoint, a plant should not be clas.sed as- 

 hardy in any locality unless it is able to withstand the vicissitudes of 

 climate and other natural conditions in that locality. Many of our so-calle-d 

 hardy plants cannot do this. They are unable to withstand the heat of 

 our summers with satisfactory results. Examples in point are cauliflowers, 

 broad beans, turnips, collinsia, lychnis, viscaria, &c. Many of the half- 

 hardy seeds, such as melons, are impatient of excessive moisture at low 

 temperatures ; hence it is inadvisable to plant them too early, except in warm 

 well-drained situations. As a general rule, however, the term " hnrdy " is 

 applied to those plants that withstand frost. They are grown chiefly dur- 

 ing the winter months. Half-hardy plants are those that cannot withstand' 



SEED PACKET USED AS A HAND SOWER. MAKING BROAD DRILLS LOR CALi-UiS. 



frost, such as tomatoes, French beans, melons, &c., and are grown only 

 during the warm months of the year. Tender plants are those that do not 

 succeed well in the open and are best grown under glass. 



Although the terms hardy and half-hardy are synonymous practically 

 for winter and summicr growing plants respectively, we find examples of 

 garden crops, such as cabbage, turnips, &c., that have certain varieties 

 adajjted to different seasons. These varieties have been evolved slowlv 

 through years of culture, and are usually the result of cross-breeding and 

 selection. The objective in breeding has been not only the amelioration of 

 type, but the adaptation of variations to different seasons and conditions ; 

 and thus the prolongation of the sea.son of use. and its consequent economic 

 advantages. 



Sowing. 



Seed sowers of various kinds have now been on the market for years. 

 Improvements and additions are made almost every year. Some of these 

 makes are specially suited for planting certain sizes of seed, such as onions 

 or turnip'3. Owing, however, to the great difference in the size of garden 



