FLOWER GARDENING 



275 



moisture and avoid further watering till absolutely neces- 

 sary. Too much watering makes the soil too compact 

 and rots the seed. 



As soon as the seedlings have made a second pair of 

 leaves, take them up with the point of a knife and trans- 

 plant into other boxes filled in the same way. They 

 should be set two inches apart so as to give them room 

 to grow strong. They may be transplanted from the 

 boxes to the flower garden by taking an old knife blade 

 and cutting the 

 earth into squares 

 and then lifting 

 the entire square 

 with the plant 

 and setting it 

 where it is wanted. 



There are many 

 flower seeds which 

 are so small that 

 they must not be 

 covered at all. In 

 this class we find 

 begonias, petunias, 

 and Chinese primroses. To sow these, we prepare boxes 

 as for the other seeds, and press the earth smooth. Then 

 scatter some fine, dry moss thinly over the surface of the 

 soil. Sprinkle this with water until it is well moistened, 

 and at once scatter the seeds thinly over the surface and 

 cover with panes of glass until the seeds germinate. 

 Transplant as soon as the young plants can be lifted out 

 separately on the blade of a penknife. 



FIG. 238. A CYCLAMEN 

 Copyright, 1903, Doubleday, Page & Co. 



