62 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



those of US that have had the largest practice. The de- 

 scriptive catalogues issued by seedsmen and florists are 

 now excellent practical guides in this matter, as the 

 seeds of all plants best propagated from seeds are offered 

 in the seed department of the catalogues, while those that 

 are usually propagated by cuttings are offered in the plant 

 catalogues. 



Seedling plants can be nearly as well raised in the win- 

 dow of a sittmg-room or parlor, provided the tempera- 

 ture is right, as in a greenhouse, for seeds do not need a 

 strong direct light while germinating ; in fact, that is 

 often a difficulty in a greenhouse, as the surface of the 

 seed-bed dries up too quickly in the direct sunshine, ne- 

 cessitating watering, which bakes the surface. The best 

 thing wherein to sow seeds is a shallow box, which need 

 not be more than two inches deep, with open seams at 

 the bottom through which water will drain quickly. Fill 

 the box within lialf an inch of the top with liglit rich 

 earth. If it can be procured, nothing is better than black 

 leaf mold from the woods, or light sandy soil mixed with 

 an equal bulk of stable manure, so rotted as to resemble 

 leaf mold ; but it will not answer unless rotted as fine as 

 dust. In the absence of either of these, sweepings from 

 a paved street are excellent, mixed with light sandy soil, 

 the object in all cases being lightness of the soil or mold 

 in which the seed is to be sown ; for if tiny seeds, as 

 many of our flower seeds are, are embedded in a stiff soil, 

 the germ in many of them is too weak to push its way to 

 the light. When the proper soil has been secured, pat it 

 down with a smooth board until it is as smooth and level 

 as it well can be; then sow the seed carefully over the sur- 

 face, distributing it evenly, and with a common kitchen 

 sieve sift just so much earth evenly over the seed as 

 will cover it and no more, pressing it down again with the 

 smooth board ; next take a watering pot with the finest 

 kind of a rose, and shower the earth with the spray. 



