84 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



will reproduce itself nearly the same, as in special 

 colors of Hollyhocks, or in cases where a general 

 variety is wanted, such as Verbenas or Petunias, the 

 propagation by seed is largely practised. As propa- 

 gation by seeds refers more usually to ornamental 

 plants cultivated under glass, I will briefly relate cur 

 own practice, which we have greatly improved during 

 the past few years, and in which we have attained 

 almost unfailingly satisfactory results. We have found 

 that seeds sown in shallow boxes, from one and a half 

 to two inches deep, can be given a far more uniform 

 degree of moisture than when sown in earthen flower 

 pots, or earthen seed pans made specially for that pur- 

 pose. These boxes are made from the ordinary soap box, 

 from four to five being made from each, with the bottom 

 boards so put on as to allow free escape of moisture, 

 though, of course, not so wide apart as to allow the soil 

 to wash through. These boxes are filled with finely 

 sifted soil, such as has been run through a sieve fine as 

 mosquito netting. This surface is then made perfectly 

 level and smooth, and the seeds sowed on it as evenly as 

 possible, and in thickness corresponding to the variety 

 sown, though it must be here remembered that in 

 " union there is strength," and that, if sown too thin, weak 

 seeds may fail to press up the soil if isolated too much. 

 After the seeds are sown, and before they are covered, 

 they are pressed down by a smooth board into the soil, 

 so that the surface is again smooth and level. 



The seed box is now ready for its covering. For 

 several years past we have used finely-sifted Moss 

 (Sphagnum) or Cocoanut fiber exclusively for covering. 

 To prepare these materials they are rubbed through a 

 mosquito wire sieve when dry, and sifted over the seed 

 only thick enough to cover it, usually about one-sixteenth 



