ON SOWING THE SEEDS OF EXOTIC PLANTS. 22*7 



parcels of seed are small, two, three, or more kinds may be sown 

 distinctly in the same pot, distinguishing each by a small painted 

 stick, to be set perpendicular in the centre of the pot, with the name 

 or number inscribed thereon. 



The sowing being finished, give the pots a gentle watering with the 

 rose of a water-pot, to be repeated three or four times, until the 

 mould therein becomes sufficiently moist for vegetation; let them be 

 then set in the most convenient, dry, airy part of the greenhouse, 

 where they can be regularly attended as to watering and weeding. 

 Watering they will require at least once a day, in a greater or less 

 degree ; for if they are not kept properly moist, the seeds will not by 

 any means vegetate freely, if at all ; however, the other extreme is to 

 be studiously avoided. The weeds should be regularly pulled out 

 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 at- 

 tention 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 

 order 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 be 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 



