HO ROCK GARDENS 



the diameter of the seeds ; but these are often 

 so very small, that a better way is just to 

 cover till no seeds are visible on the surface. 

 In some cases the merest dusting will suffice. 

 Over this I find a thin layer of fine silver 

 sand very beneficial in keeping the surface 

 clean and free from moss, which, even if it 

 does grow, can easily be removed without dis- 

 turbing the seeds. 



Special mixtures of soil will be required for 

 some seeds. For those that like lime, the Saxi- 

 frage family, for example, and especially the 

 encrusted section, it can be added in the form 

 of lime rubbish, and less loam and leaf-mould 

 used ; whilst for those that like peat, such as the 

 Ramondias, Rhododendron, etc., the compost 

 should consist of fibrous loam, peat, and leaf- 

 mould, with a little sharp sand. In the case of 

 the Androsaces, sandstone broken up quite small 

 will be found of service. In short, whatever 

 soil the mature plant does best in should be 

 used for its seeds. The soil for either potting 

 or sowing seeds should not be so dry that it 

 will not take water readily, nor yet so wet that 

 it is liable to cake or stick to the riddle ; 



