PROPAGATION OF PLANTS BY SEEDS. 67 



CHAPTER XIL 



PROPAGATION OF PLANTS BY SEEDS. 



The propagation of plants, of all kinds, by seeds, is a 

 matter in which instructions can only to a certain extent 

 be given. Long experience only can give the necessary 

 knowledge for the full understanding of the proper 

 temperature and humidity essential for the successful germ- 

 ination of the different varieties. It may be laid down 

 as a safe rule, however, that for the hardier varieties, a 

 low or medium temperature is required, say from 45 to 

 60, and for the tender species, a temperature from 75 to 

 90. 



If Pansy seed be sown in July or August, where the 

 temperature in the shade averages 80, no matter how 

 moist the soil is kept, if germination takes place at all it 

 will be of so feeble a kind that the seedlings will not 

 continue a healthy existence ; but if the same seed were 

 sown in September or October, with an average tempera- 

 ture of say 60 in the shade, a quick and healthy germina- 

 tion would be the result. The same rule applies to Cine- 

 rarias, Calceolarias, Auriculas, Primulas, and all other 

 plants of this half-hardy nature. English, Scotch, and 

 Irish gardeners, before they have had time for experience 

 in this country, are apt to fall into the common error of 

 sowing all these seeds too soon. Though it is proper to 

 sow these seeds in July and August in England, with us, 

 in this section, it must be delayed to September or Octo- 

 ber, and in warm latitudes still later, or failure is almost 

 certain to follow. On the other hand, if we attempt to 

 germinate Portulacas, Balsams, Amaranths, Zinnias, or 

 other plants of tropical origin, in the medium temperature 

 of 50, they will either remain dormant until a higher 

 temperature occurs, or perish. Ignorance of, or inatten- 



