Ixiv INTRODUCTION. 



is enabled pretty accurately to sort and sow those kinds 

 together which are likely to germinate within a short 

 time of each other, he will find himself in great embar- 

 rassment by-and-by as to how seedlings are to be 

 managed under the close enervating conditions that are 

 most conducive to successful germination. And this 

 process of selection is, moreover, rather too nice a one for 

 even the most experienced to venture on with absolute 

 confidence in all cases. Were we always cognisant of 

 the conditions under which the seeds were harvested and 

 kept since then, and of their age, there would be little 

 difficulty ; but this is not always possible. The difference 

 of time between the germination of old and new seeds 

 of the same species in ordinary circumstances amounts 

 to weeks in many cases, so that any sorting or selection 

 that maybe attempted is not to be relied upon; and all 

 these contingencies have to be weighed before the less 

 troublesome method of sowing a miscellaneous lot of 

 hardy perennial seeds in a hand-glass, frame, or com- 

 partment of a frame, without pots is decided on. 



If a mild hotbed can be devoted to the raising of the 

 seeds under glass, it will greatly facilitate progress and 

 the realisation of results. The bottom-heat requisite is 

 about 65° or 70°, and it should be maintained pretty 

 evenly to something between those figures. The man- 

 agement of the heated frame is precisely the same as 

 that of the close cold frame, but there will be greater 

 watchfulness required on the part of the attendant 

 against sudden risings of temperature from temporary 

 glances of the sun, and more careful airing and shading 

 will be necessary at all times. The seedlings, also, when 

 removed from a heated frame, will require more care in 

 their after-management, if they are to be immediately 



