INTRODUCTION. liii 



them under glass : generally speaking, they require as 

 much labour and attention, when so treated, as more 

 valuable things ; and there being little risk in treating 

 them with less consideration, we need not hamper our- 

 selves unduly with them. With a numerous group, such 

 as Delphinium and the herbaceous Paeonies, which will 

 not bloom the first year from seed, and some such as the 

 latter, that are slow to germinate, even when raised 

 under glass, there is obviously nothing to gain in rais- 

 ing in the more troublesome way in point of time ; and 

 unless we have reason to suspect that, on account of long 

 keeping or other circumstances, the vitality of the seed 

 is low, and would therefore have a better chance under 

 glass, all such may very well be sown in their own ele- 

 ment out of doors. But new and rare subjects, whether 

 the seeds are saved from our own collection or obtained 

 from other sources, and all the more choice species and 

 varieties that it is desirable to make the most of, it is 

 better if possible to sow under glass. And there are 

 many perennials — such as most Pentstemons of the gar- 

 den varieties, varieties of late-blooming Phloxes, some 

 Salvias, and a host of others — which, if sown early under 

 glass, may be bloomed the first season, — a consumma- 

 tion desirable enough, even in the case of things that we 

 know well, but greatly more so when our expectations 

 are whetted by novelty, rarity, and surpassing excellence. 

 All these, and any that are above average in intrinsic 

 worth, it is desirable to sow under glass; and generally, 

 when only limited quantities are required, it may be 

 looked upon as the best way, because by it the object is 

 soonest attained, and with the least risk of failure. As- 

 suming, then, that it is desirable and convenient to sow 



