2o4 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



raiser. I would strongly advise amateurs to do their best to raise 

 varieties distinct in character from those we already have in large 

 numbers, because of the greater interest they will feel in the work, 

 and the greater likelihood of their raising something really worth 

 having. The high-bred varieties, as in the case of other florists' 

 flowers, are very shy in producing seed, and very little, even with 

 the greatest care in fertilizing the flowers, will be obtained from 

 them. Up to the present time, the best results have been obtained 

 by crossing the various dark varieties together, and the light varieties 

 together. Dark varieties have been crossed by the beat raisers with 

 light ones, and vice versa ; but in no case that has come under my 

 notice have the results been satisfactory. The fertilization of the 

 flowers should be commenced early in the summer, to give the seed 

 plenty of time to be well ripened by the autumn. 



"When the seed is thoroughly ripe, gather the pods and lay them 

 in a sunny position for a few days. To separate the seed from the 

 pulp, crush the pods between the finger and thumb, and well wash 

 m clean water. Some care will be necessary in doing this, or a pro- 

 portion of the seed will be lost in removing the pulp. After the 

 seed is thoroughly clean, lay it in a shallow saucer to dry, and then 

 wrap in paper and put it by in a drawer until the time comes for 

 sowing it the following spring. 



I shall not say much about raising the seedliugs, for this is the 

 most easy part of the work. Prepare a sufficient number of five- 

 inch pots, by filling them about half full of crocks, and then filling 

 the remaining space with fine sandy soil. Make the surface level, 

 sprinkle with tepid water and sow evenly over the surface. Cover 

 lightly with fine sandy soil, and place on a brisk hotbed, or in a pit 

 or house in which the temperature is sufficient to cause the seed to 

 germinate quickly. A temperature of 70 deg. or 75 deg. is perhaps 

 the most suitable. 



Immediately the young plants are large enough to handle, prick 

 them ofl' into shallow pans or into pots prepared iu the same manner 

 aa the seed pots. They will require rather careful attention at this 

 stage because of their tenderness ; but if they are kept rather close 

 and iu a shady position, they will soon become established and com^ 

 mence to grow freely. When the plants are about three inches ia 

 height, and befoi-e they have become drawn from overcrowding, pot 

 them off singly, and use three-inch pots and a light rich compost, 

 the latter to consist of turfy loam, leaf-mould and silver-sand. They 

 w^ill not require any manure in the compost at this stage, as it is not 

 desirable to encourage a luxuriant growth. After they are potted 

 off singly, they should be managed in precisely the same manner as 

 plants raised from cuttings. Those which make a strong growth 

 must be shifted into six-inch pots as soon as more root-space is 

 required, and the smaller plants should be put into pots one size less, 

 and pots of the sizes mentioned will be suSicient to carry them 

 through the season. 



A portion of the stock will bloom in the course of the season, 

 and all that are of o promising character should be retained for the 

 purpose of submitting them to further trial the following season. 



