11/ 



are being sown alongside one another. Thus each kind can better 

 be kept separated. The depth at which the seeds are covered is 

 very important. It is well to keep in mind that we are sowing 

 seeds, or, if you like, call it scattering seeds and not burying them. 

 An old rule is to cover to the depth of the seed you are dealing 

 with, and I would say very often, cover even less. The important 

 thing is, water them well with a fine nose on the can, and shade 

 constantly until germinated. Avoid as far as possible airy, drying 

 conditions. All this frame sowing applies in the main to quick- 

 germinating material that has been handled often in quantity and 

 that is invariably offered in seed catalogues. 



When we come to choicer things — to Primula, to Ramondia, to 

 seeds of hard-wooded plants, and to new things, the better way is to 

 sow in pots — flats if you will, but I prefer pots. A five-inch pot 

 is the smallest I would use. Smaller ones take up less room, but 

 they have a tendency to dry out too quickly. Ample drainage 

 should be used, and the soil should consist of a mixture of equal 

 parts of loamy soil, leaf-mold or peat, and grit or sharp sand. In 

 the case of the Ericaceae, which includes Rhododendron, Daboccia, 

 and that delightful plant, the trailing arbutus — if you can grow it — 

 peat and sand should be the medium. Fill the pots to within half 

 an inch of the top. The top layer should be put through a very fine 

 sieve. Press the whole down and water to saturation. If the 

 middle of this surface is slightly raised it will impede drying out 

 at the sides of the pot. After the actual water and muddy condition 

 have gone, the seeds should be sown thinly. The depth to cover is 

 as important here as in the frame. Before sowing very minute 

 seeds, it is advisable to mix them with a pinch of dry sand so that a 

 more uniform spread will be obtained. These last should receive 

 no covering at all. After sowing, the pots should be removed to a 

 frame, stood close together, and covered with heavy brown paper. 

 Over this may be added a four-inch covering of moist sphagnum 

 moss, or anything that will assist your efforts in maintaining an 

 evenly moist condition. 



Little watering will be necessary for some time. Examine every 

 few days, until some of them begin to germinate, when more con- 

 stant daily watchfulness will be essential. As every species ger- 

 minates it must be removed to where light and air can be admitted. 

 Close proximity to the glass is important, otherwise weak growth 



