20 THE NURSERY-BOOK. 



Shallow boxes or "flats" and earthen seed-pans and lily-pans 

 are usually preferable to pots in which to grow seeds. They 

 give more surface in proportion to their contents and require 

 less attention in drainage. If pots are used, the four to 

 six-inch sizes are best. 



If delicate seeds are sown out-doors, they should be given 

 some protection, if possible. An ordinary hot-bed frame gives 

 the best results. In warm weather or a sunny exposure it will 

 be found desirable to substitute a cloth screen for the sash. A 

 thin or medium water-proof plant cloth, either commercial or 

 home-made, is excellent for this purpose. It may be tacked upon 

 a simple and light rectangular frame which is strengthened at 

 the corners by iron "carriage-corners." These cloth-covered 

 frames are handy for many purposes, particularly for protecting 

 and supplying some warmth to seed-pans and young seedlings. 



It is essential that good drainage be given all in-door seed- 

 pots or seed-beds. A layer of broken pots or other coarse 

 material is placed on the bottom. Many growers place a thin 

 layer of fine dead sphagnum moss or of peat over this drainage 

 material, -and it certainly makes a useful addition. It is particu- 

 larly useful in isolated pots or small boxes, as it holds enough 

 moisture to prevent too rapid drying out, while all surplus water 

 is quickly taken off by the coarse material beneath. Over the 

 moss coarse siftings from the soil may be placed, while on top 

 only the finest and best soil should be used. The smaller the 

 seeds, the more care must be exercised in the sowing. 



The proper depth for sowing varies directly with the size of 

 the seed. The chief advantage of very fine soil for small seeds 

 is the greater exactness of depth of covering which it allows. 

 Very small seeds should be sown upon the surface, which has 

 previously been well firmed and levelled, and then covered with 

 a very thin layer of finely sifted soil or a little old and dead 

 moss rubbed through a sieve. This covering should be scarcely 

 deeper than the thickness of the seeds ; that is, the seeds should 

 be barely covered. Many prefer pressing the seeds into the soil 

 with a block. Or if one has a close propagating-box, the seeds 

 may remain upon the surface and sufficient moisture will be 



