288 THE NURSERY. [MARCH 



T>oxes, making the ground very fine and even on the surface, then 

 sow the seeds thickly thereon, and cover them not more than the 

 eighth of an inch deep, or rather so as barely to hide them. Immedi- 

 ately cover the beds or boxes with moss, in order to shade the surface 

 and vegetating seed from the influence of the sun, or parching air ; 

 for when the small descending radicles are protruded, if the earth 

 gets dry below them, all will be destroyed ; and the seeds being so 

 very minute, if covered deep, can never come up; therefore it will 

 be necessary to give them shade and very frequently light sprinkles 

 of water; the moss will prevent its washing the earth off the seeds, 

 and will gently communicate the moisture to the surface thereof. 

 When the plants begin to appear, thin the moss, and expose them, 

 but by slow degrees, as they collect strength. If the boxes be placed 

 in a green-house, or under the protection of garden frames and 

 glasses, from the time of sowing the seeds till the middle of May, it 

 will be a great advantage ; observing that the plants, when up, must 

 be carefully protected from the mid-day sun whilst in an infant state. 

 Towards the middle of May remove the boxes to some comforting 

 shade, to remain there till the latter end of October, then place them 

 in a warm exposure till the approach of severe frosts, when they may 

 be put into a garden frame, and slightly protected during winter. 

 Suffer the plants to remain in the seed boxes or beds till they have 

 two years' growth, being careful to give them shade and water in sum- 

 mer, and some slight protection in winter, and in the beginning of 

 April plant them out into.nursery rows as directed for firs and pines, 

 on page 284, in a shady situation and a loamy soil; covering the 

 ground about their roots with moss to keep it moist till the plants 

 are established; observing to give them occasional watering during 

 the first summer and autumn after being thus planted out. 



Note. All other minute seeded shrubby plants, such as ericas, &c., 

 when propagated by seed, should be treated in the above manner, 

 with this difference, that they must have protection and heat in win- 

 ter, in proportion to their necessities, and soil adapted to their respect- 

 ive natures. Such may also be raised under bell-glasses, without 

 the assistance of moss, as these confine the evaporations from the 

 earth, thereby preserving the moist atmosphere around the plant, 

 which prevents a greater exhalation of sap from the tender leaves, 

 than the small radicles are yet able to extract and supply, which is 

 frequently the cause of the sudden death and disappearance of vari- 

 ous other crops in warm climates. 



WEIGELA AMABILIS. 



This beautiful new plant possesses such interest to the modern gar- 

 den, from its blooming twice in the year, that we insert an illustra- 

 tion of the new favorite. Like W. rosea it is a native of China and 

 Japan, and deserves to be grown by all who have space for a single 

 shrub. It is preferable to the rosea. 



