40 MARTYNIA FRAGKANS. 



known the seeds to remain in the ground six months before vegetating, and we have 

 no doubt, in a dry situation, a much longer time might elapse, and the seed, never- 

 theless, continue perfectly sound. 



This little knot is, however, very easily cut, for by the removal of the horny 

 coating of the seed it may be made to germinate in a fortnight or three weeks. 



It may be urged, that such a proceeding is altogether unnatural ; but it is not 

 more so than the hundred other contrivances by which art is made to minister to 

 nature, in the various horticultural operations. In its native country, Mexico, the 

 seeds of the plant, in all probability, fall from the capsule as soon as ripe, 

 being at once buried in the ground, and therefore protected from the desiccating 

 influences which harden the gathered seed. 



The peeling must be carefully performed, and the more easily to accomplish it, 

 the seed should be soaked in warm water for an hour previously ; this will have the 

 effect of softening the almost woody testa, which may then be readily cut away 

 with a sharp knife, great caution being employed to preserve the cotyledons from 

 injury. We have sometimes soaked the seed, after the removal of the shell, in tepid 

 water or milk, before sowing, and we have fancied that its germination was thereby 

 hastened ; but the precaution is probably unnecessary. 



The seed is best sown at an early period of the spring, upon a good hot-bed, in 

 moderately rich vegetable soil ; and the young plants should be transferred separately 

 to small pots, as soon as they are large enough to handle without injury, and again 

 placed in the hot-bed. 



Their after management depends on the situation to which they are destined. 

 The plant is often grown as a tender annual, in which case it may be treated 

 exactly as the Balsam ; that is, retained in the hot-bed, and shifted into larger pots 

 successively until the plant is a foot or eighteen inches high, when it may be 

 removed to the window ; but although it will thus attain a larger size, it is better 

 treated as a half-hardy plant for the decoration of the borders, where its growth is 

 more robust, and its flowers of a much deeper tint. 



When grown for this purpose, the young seedlings should, at the earliest period, 

 be accustomed to a free supply of air, and removed to a cold frame some weeks 

 before planting out, in order that the plant may be gradually inured to the 

 temperature of the external atmosphere. 



Where this convenience is not at hand, the gradual change can be effected in 

 another way. Early in May, the plants may be turned out into the place prepared 

 for them, and a hand light placed over them, which should be kept close for a day or 

 two, and afterwards air should be admitted gradually, until by the end of the 

 month the glass may be removed altogether. The plant requires a rich light 

 earth for its growth, and a free supply of water ; from the large size of its leaves 

 it will be advisable to screen it from the action of high winds, by planting it in a 



