PROPAGATION 129 



the first intimation that is given of fertile 

 seed having ripened is the finding of small 

 seedlings round the parent plant. It is a great 

 mistake to be in a hurry to remove the flower- 

 heads as soon as they are withered, and, more- 

 over, the seed-pods are in many cases nearly as 

 ornamental as the flowers themselves. At the 

 same time it is well to exercise discretion, for 

 the seedlings from some plants may prove as 

 troublesome as any weed. 



Having gathered the ripe seed, sow at once. 

 Nature sows her seed as soon as it is ripe ; 

 why should we imagine we know better and 

 lay it aside for several months ? 



Seeds may be sown in the open or in pots, 

 but many species of plants do not ripen their 

 seeds till late in the autumn, and these should 

 be sown in pots and wintered in a frame or 

 cold-house. In any case I should recommend 

 this treatment for any of the rarer species. 

 The best time to sow in the open is in 

 April, but seeds may be put in any time from 

 April to August. So, should seeds come to 

 hand during the summer months, it is better to 

 sow at once rather than to keep them over for 



