40 WESTERN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



After the bulb season, begins the seed planting- for sum- 

 mer. I have been successful with the Annuals, have grown 

 Asters, Verbenas, Phlox, Stocks, Petunias, Gaillardia, Mari- 

 golds and Pansy. With exception of the Pansy start them 

 about the middle of March. Pansy seed should be planted 

 at least a month earlier. Prepare good soil with plenty of 

 sand, sift in a fine sieve, put the coarse pieces at the bottom 

 of your boxes, an inch deep, fill up with fine soil and press 

 firmly, in putting- in the seeds be careful not to have them 

 one on top of the other. Cover well with a fine soil, press 

 lightly and sprinkle with tepid water with a small brush. 

 Cover with a glass and put in a moderately warm place for 

 three or four days, then expose them to a south window. 

 Let the glass remain on, when you see the soil being forced 

 up remove it. The Petunia is an exception, the seed being 

 so small and delicate great care must be used. Sprinkle very 

 lightly with soil, moisten, keep covered with the glass for 

 some time. They are very slow in germinating. Have ready 

 more boxes for transplanting. When the seedlings have 

 grown about four leaves, use a table fork to dig and separate 

 them, plant again about two inches apart, keep moist and 

 cover with a paper while the sun is on them. When strong 

 enough, expose to full light and sun. I can highly recom- 

 mend leaving the boxes out of doors for two weeks or so pre- 

 vious to disturbing them. The plants are strong and very 

 seldom wilt when set out. The Stocks have not proved as 

 great a success, they germinate and grow well. Many of 

 them look strong seedlings and all of a sudden are wilted 

 down. They have rotted from the roots. I often lose them 

 the same way after being transplanted. I do not know how 

 to account for this failure. 



