PROPAGATION OF PLANTS BY SEEDS. 107 



individuality. Shepherds in charge of five hundred sheep 

 can often individualize every member of the flock, which 

 to the inexperienced observer seem all alike. The reader 

 will excuse this digression ; but there is a great deal of 

 misconception on this interesting subject. 



In all cases where seed taken from a variety or species 

 will reproduce itself nearly the same, as in special colors 

 of Hollyhocks, or, in cases where a general variety is 

 wanted, as in Verbenas, Petunias or Geraniums, the pro- 

 pagation by seed is largely practised. 



Experience only can give the necessary knowledge for 

 the full understanding of the proper temperature and 

 humidity essential for the successful germination of the 

 seeds of different plants. It may be laid down as a safe 

 rule, however, that 'for the hardier varieties, a low or 

 medium temperature is required, say from forty-five to 

 sixty degrees, and for the tender species, a temperature 

 from seventy- five to ninety degrees. 



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

 temperature in the shade averages eighty degrees, no 

 matter how moist the soil is kept, if germination takes 

 place at all it will be of so feeble a kind that the seed- 

 lings will not continue a healthy existence ; but if the 

 same seed were sown in September or October, with an 

 average temperature of, say sixty degrees in the shade, a 

 quick and healthy germination 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 until September or October, and in warm lati- 

 tudes still later, or failure is almost certain to follow. In 

 our own practice we prefer to sow all such seeds in March, 



