ON EXOTIC PLANTS. 171 



before they attain any size ; else, besides the top smothering the 

 young seedlings, which may have started, the roots, in getting them 

 out afterwards, not only disturb them, but also the remaining seeds 

 that may be perhaps on the point of bursting their embryo; by which 

 means, it not unfrequently happens in places where this strict atten- 

 tion is not paid, that the greater part of the crop is thereby destroyed. 

 As the spring advances, it will be necessary to lay a few sheets of 

 strong paper over the pots, for two or three hours in the middle of 

 the day, if the weather happens to be clear, and the sun acts forcibly 

 on them ; particularly those in which the finer seeds are sown, in or- 

 der to prevent the surface getting over dry, and powder like ; or 

 otherwise, if the mould happens to be pretty moist, it is liable to 

 form a mossy crust, which might he particularly injurious, by pre- 

 venting the young seedling ushering itself into the light, from pene- 

 trating through it with that ease which is requisite. 



It is not advisable to keep these small kinds of seed too long un- 

 sown, therefore, foreign seed should for the most part be sown as soon 

 as received, on account of the length of time they are in general on 

 their passage home ; yet there are some, such as heath, and other 

 firm, hard seeds, which will keep very well for a year or two ; a part 

 of which may generally be reserved for future sowings. 



In this manner must they be managed until the beginning or 

 middle of June, at which season the greenhouse will in general be 

 found to be too drying a situation for them ; they must therefore be 

 removed, particularly the larger kinds of seed, to some shady border, 

 where they can be plunged nearly up to the rim in coal ashes, or sand ; 

 which will greatly assist to keep them in a proper moist state : hei'e, 

 all the care they will require is to be kept clear from weeds, and 

 regularly watered, morning and evening if requisite ; but never when 

 the sun shines strong upon them, lest the tender leaves of the young 

 plants should get scorched ; it will be also necessary to have a care- 

 ful eye, daily for slugs, worms, &c, otherwise they will be liable to 

 suffer much from the depredations of these insects, particularly in the 

 evenings. Should there he any fine light covered seeds, such as 

 heaths, &c, they must be set in such manner, that they may be co- 

 vered with a common hotbed frame, in a moderately exposed situa- 

 tion, so that in case of sudden or heavy showers which might other- 

 wise wash the seeds out of the pots, they may be occasionally covered 

 to preserve them from such violence ; yet they may be exposed to 

 gentle rains at time, but never long together, lest they become over 

 wet, which would soon perish them in this tender state. They will 

 likewise require to be shaded with a mat in clear weather, or even a 

 double mat in the very hottest season. 



