80 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



perature and humidity essential for the successful ger- 

 mination 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 is 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 con. 

 tinue a healthy existence; but if the same seed were 

 sown in September or October, with an average tempera- 

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

 tion would be the result. The same rule applies to 

 Cinerarias, 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 

 October, and in warm latitudes still later, or failure is 

 almost certain to follow. On the other hand, if we at- 

 tempt 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 

 inattention to, these conditions, is far oftener the cause of 

 failure than want of vitality in seeds. 



Whether seeds are sown in the open border, in the 

 window garden of the parlor, in the hot-bed, or green- 

 house, the same conditions should be observed, as far as 

 practicable. In the open border there is not always a 

 choice of soil, but if soil is to be prepared, let it be of a 

 light nature; leaf-mould from the woods, and well- 

 pulverized muck from the swamps, are excellent to sift on 



