22 PANSY, VIOLA AND VIOLET 



should be pressed back into their proper position if 

 possible. A few handfuls of sharp sand strewn upon 

 the soil seems to be of good effect in keeping worms 

 under. Slugs also may make an appearance at this time. 

 These should be sought after at night or in the early 

 morning, and an end put to their existence. 



When the seedlings have developed their fourth leaf, 

 and are of a convenient size to handle, they should be 

 lifted with care and pricked out into more roomy 

 quarters. 



The seedling plants may be pricked out either into 

 other frames or into the open ground. The better plan, 

 perhaps, is to employ the former method, as by this 

 means protection may be given to them during the 

 severe weather so often experienced in December and 

 January. At the same time, however, they should on 

 no account be coddled, but be allowed to develop into 

 hardy and stocky little plants, and this may be achieved 

 by the admission of air on all possible occasions. The 

 soil in which they are to be pricked out should be of the 

 same nature as the compost they were sown in, and this 

 having been firmly pressed down, the following method 

 of procedure should be adopted : A number of seedlings 

 having been lifted, they should be carefully separated 

 and dibbled in, some 3 to 4 inches apart. A small 

 dibber with a flat end should be used a stick about 

 6 to 8 inches long and f inch in diameter, having one 

 end well pared down flat, makes a capital instrument 

 and this should be inserted to a depth sufficient to 

 allow the seedling plant to be introduced without crush- 

 ing or doubling up the roots. The soil should then be 

 firmly pressed down at the roots of the plant with the 

 flat end of the dibber and the thumb and first two fingers 

 of the left hand. Finish off neatly. A good watering 

 in should then be given, and protection from the sun be 

 afforded, if necessary, until established. The plants 



