34 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



affected in the same way. As this is not likely to hap- 

 pen until the plants have made considerable growth 

 the season will probably be enough advanced to per- 

 mit of planting out, especially with protection at 

 night, or they may be transplanted into the cold- 

 frame until the weather is warm. Such mishaps sel- 

 dom occur, but when they do, they must be met 

 promptly. Few plants will make over four inches of 

 roots before transplanting, and when they reach the 

 old manure they usually spread out without going 

 deeper. 



To return to the construction of the hotbed: Cover 

 the manure with four inches of rich, fine loam, free 

 from rough lumps and stone ; it would better be put 

 through a sand- or coal-sieve if not mellow and fine. 

 Make as level as possible, and place a thermometer in 

 the soil to register the temperature. When it has 

 risen to 90 degrees or above, and then fallen to 75 or 

 70 degrees, the seed may be sown. 



In planting seed it is best to use narrow strips of 

 wood to separate the different varieties. This pre- 

 vents mixing and running together when watered. 

 It is impossible to distinguish between different vari- 

 eties of Asters, Ageratums and Pansies once they have 

 become mixed. Where one lives within reach of a 

 box factory narrow strips of wood admirable for 

 this purpose of uniform width and very thin, may 

 be readily obtained. It is best to begin at the upper 

 right-hand corner with seeds that require the most 



