PROPAGATION 21 



moistened, should stand for some hours before the seed 

 is sown. 



The seed may be sown either in little furrows, or 

 sown broadcast. The latter is perhaps the most popular 

 method, but the great thing to remember is, not to sow 

 too thickly or to allow the seed to be crowded together 

 in some parts, and very thin in others, but to attempt to 

 obtain an even distribution over the whole surface. 



If the seed is seen to be somewhat crowded in some 

 places, it can be distributed more evenly by means of the 

 end of a pencil or stick, thus preventing over-crowding, 

 which would be a certain forerunner of weakness in the 

 young plants. 



The seed being sown thus satisfactorily, a thin cover- 

 ing of the compost should be scattered across as evenly 

 as possible to the depth of about a quarter of an inch or 

 less. The whole surface should then be pressed down 

 gently and evenly with a small board, or the back of a 

 spade. 



Then, if the sowing has been done in a frame in the 

 manner suggested, the frame-light should be placed 

 thereon, and this covered with mats or newspapers in 

 order to exclude the light and act as a shield from the 

 sun until the seeds have germinated. 



The young seedlings should be carefully shaded from 

 the heat of the mid-day sun, and if the soil begins to 

 look dry, they should be given a gentle watering with a 

 very fine-rosed can. As the seedlings commence to 

 grow, they can gradually be allowed more air, and 

 finally the frame-light may be dispensed with altogether. 



During this time worms may possibly create some 

 trouble by disturbing the soil, causing the young plants 

 either to be engulfed in the holes thus made, or to be 

 thrown up out of the soil altogether, thereby allowing 

 the plant to perish. A sharp lookout should be kept 

 for anything of this nature, and when seen, the seedlings 



