The Culture of Flowers from Seeds 



path of propagation, and raise plants possessing the initial vigour of 

 seedlings. In stamina these seedlings proved eminently satisfactory, 

 although in other respects they were at first sadly disappointing. It 

 then became clear that before show flowers could be obtained from 

 seedlings judgment and skill must be devoted to the art of saving 

 seed. This was necessarily a work of time, demanding great patience 

 and rare scientific knowledge. The task was undertaken with 

 enthusiasm in many directions, and the results have more than justi- 

 fied this labour of love. Formerly, the universal mode of perpetu- 

 ating named Hollyhocks was by the troublesome process of cuttings, 

 or by grafting buds on roots of seedlings in houses heated to tropical 

 temperature. In many places it was the custom to lift the old plants, 

 pot them, and keep them through the winter in pits. All this was 

 found necessary to insure fine flowers. While the burden of the 

 work was thus rendered heavy, the constitution of the plant became 

 enfeebled, and at one time the fear was entertained that its extinction 

 was at hand. But the new system has preserved the Hollyhock, and 

 at the same time afforded a striking example of the principle that 

 seed saved scientifically is found to reproduce the varieties it was 

 taken from. Seedling Hollyhocks grown as annuals now give double 

 flowers of the finest quality; and, what is of utmost consequence, 

 the seedling plants are less liable to disease. So with the Verbena. 

 This beautiful bedding plant has been propagated from cuttings 

 forced in heat, and systematically debilitated, so that there is now a 

 Verbena disease. But from suitable seed plants can be raised that 

 will produce the most resplendent flowers, and instead of propagating 

 a stock to keep over winter, to be stricken with mildew and cost no 

 end of care, only to become diseased at last, a pinch of seed is sown 

 in January or February, and soon there is a stock of healthy plants 

 possessing the vigour peculiar to seedlings. These, being bedded 

 out at a proper time, flower as freely as plants from cuttings, and 

 produce trusses twice the size. 



To illustrate the change of method still further we may instance 

 the Cineraria. Formerly this was a troublesome plant to grow, 

 because it was considered necessary to propagate named varieties by 

 divisions and suckers. The restricted system was reflected in limited 

 cultivation. Few were willing to venture on a task known to be 

 hedged about with difficulties. By degrees it was discovered that the 

 finest Cinerarias might be secured by simply sowing seed, and giving 

 the plants the usual cultivation of tender annuals. This has brought 

 the Cineraria within the reach of thousands who would not attempt to 



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