INTRODUCTION. Iv 



the quality of the soil — that is, the fresher it is — the more 

 desirable ; but it is not necessary, but rather objection- 

 able, that it should be very rich. A little leaf-mould, if 

 procurable, may be added ; or, if there is reason to sup- 

 pose it is poor, a moderate allowance of old manure, pre- 

 viously dried and rubbed through a quarter-inch sieve, 

 may be used, either as a substitute for, or along with, the 

 leaf-mould, according to convenience, and as the condi- 

 tion of the soil may suggest. As much sharp sand may 

 be added to the mass as will render it light and porous ; 

 and the whole should be turned about and rubbed well 

 with the hands, so as to insure a thorough and equal 

 incorporation of the materials throughout. During this 

 process it will prevent much after-annoyance and trouble 

 if a sharp look-out is kept upon worms, whether earth- 

 worm, wire-worm, or the larvae of insects, with a view to 

 their destruction as far as possible. A small portion of 

 the soil may be sifted through a quarter-inch sieve, and 

 have a little more sand added to it, and be set aside con- 

 veniently for use in covering the seeds and in making a 

 suitable bed for those that are minute. The pots are the 

 next consideration, and they should be clean and dry ; 

 if not new, they must be washed and thoroughly dry 

 before being used. The best sizes for this purpose are 

 those of four or five inches diameter at the top : the 

 small mass of soil that these contain is less liable to be- 

 come sour, should the seed sown in it be slow to germi- 

 nate — and in such cases it is of the first importance to 

 anticipate and provide against evils ; while in all cases 

 those sizes will be found generally convenient. They 

 may not be equal to the reception of the stock in hand 

 of all kinds of seed, but better duplicate pots than lum- 



