PROPAGATION 25 



A piece of glass placed over the box will keep the 

 conditions of the soil etc. humid, and thus expedite 

 germination ; but so soon as the seedlings have shown 

 their second leaf, this covering should be taken off to 

 avoid the risk of drawn and weakly plants resulting. 



When they have shown their fourth leaf, the seedlings 

 are ready to be pricked off into other boxes, prepared 

 in the same manner. The soil having been made nice 

 and firm, they should be dibbled in about an inch apart, 

 and a gentle watering given. A little sand sprinkled 

 on the top of the soil, previous to pricking off, will 

 greatly assist the plants in establishing themselves. 

 For a dibber use a label with the pointed end slightly 

 blunted. 



At this period of their existence, the seedlings are 

 very liable to the attacks of green fly, greatly to the 

 detriment of the plants, which do not appear to be grow- 

 ing at all, and look somewhat sickly. If one of the 

 leaves of a plant be turned up it will be found to be 

 covered with this pest. Steps should be taken immedi- 

 ately to eradicate the evil. A solution of soft soap and 

 water, using 2 ounces of the former to a gallon of the 

 latter, sprayed on with a very fine syringe, will be found 

 to produce the required result. 



It is incumbent, therefore, upon the. grower, im- 

 mediately the plants are found to be growing well, to 

 proceed to harden them off, and thus keep clear of this 

 or any other pest brought on by the unnatural conditions 

 under which the plants are raised. The boxes should 

 forthwith be placed in a cold frame, and gradually 

 hardened off. 



By about the end of May the plants will be small 

 but stocky plants, and a bed should at once be made 

 ready for their reception. They should be planted in 

 rows about 6 to 8 inches apart, leaving the same distance 

 between the rows. By the middle of July or earlier. 



