322 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



these seeds should be covered to a depth of one-eighth 

 inch with a mixture of finely sifted leaf-mold and sharp 

 sand. 



482. Culture. After the seedlings germinate, a little 

 fine clean sand should be sifted over the top of the pan. 

 This prevents damping off. Water should be given 

 the same as for calceolaria seed. The seed should be 

 placed in a cool, shaded place, where they should germi- 

 nate in about ten days. When large enough to handle, 

 the seedlings should be transplanted into thumb pots. 

 Small plants should not be discarded, for many of the most 

 desirable colors germinate slowly. 



The plants should be kept growing vigorously, and not 

 allowed to become pot-bound. A mixture of equal parts 

 of mold and fibrous loam gives excellent results until 

 the plants are ready for five- or six-inch pots, when a 

 compost of three parts fibrous loam and one part well- 

 decayed cow manure should be used. The night tempera- 

 ture should be kept as nearly as possible at 45, and the 

 plants should be near the glass. They should be in their 

 flowering pots at least six weeks before they are to begin 

 flowering. This makes compact growth and large, dense 

 flower heads. If not somewhat pot-bound, the growth 

 will be stronger and the flowers fewer. If growth is not 

 satisfactory, the plants may be fed occasionally with liquid 

 manure. The green fly may be kept in check by frequent 

 fumigation with tobacco products, or by keeping tobacco 

 stems scattered among the pots. The double-flowered 

 varieties may be propagated by cuttings. As soon as the 

 flowering season is past, the flower-stems may be cut back 

 to induce a strong growth of young shoots. These may be 

 rooted in the propagating bench the same as other plants. 

 They should be kept cool, even during the summer. 



