II PROPAGATION OF HARDY BAMBOOS 15 
ceus)—scarcely a grain missed fire—but we have never yet 
been able to get ripe seed of any of the hardy species. 
The seed should be sown sparsely in pans filled with garden 
soil—the more silicate it contains the better—and well 
drained with broken potsherds or stones. Cover the seed 
with fine soil about a quarter of an inch deep or less. If the 
seed be sown too thickly, the development of the young plant 
is hindered. Water well with a very fine rose until the 
whole soil be thoroughly soaked. The pans should be placed 
in hotbeds and frequently watered, great care being taken to 
prevent the soil from drying. The frames should be partially 
shaded from the sun and kept fairly ventilated, more air 
being admitted as the seedlings gain strength. Assuming the 
seed to have been sown in the latter end of March or in 
April, the young plants may bear full exposure to air and 
sun in June. In the following spring the plants should be 
pricked out into 3-inch pots, which, after generous watering, 
again should be placed under glass upon a hotbed to help 
the plants to root in their new abode. At first the outer air 
should be excluded or very sparingly admitted. By degrees 
they will bear longer exposure, until in the latter end of May 
or early June the pots are plunged in open beds, buried a 
little below the surface, and covered with a mulching of dead 
leaves or straw. The beds should be well watered during 
the summer. In the month of October the pots must be 
taken up and placed in a cool or temperate house, or under 
cold frames, which must be covered up during. severe frosts. 
In the month of May following they may be planted out in 
their permanent places. The very slight variations necessary 
if the seed should not be sown until the summer or autumn 
