608 THE PLEASURE, OR [DEC. 



It would be found very difficult to sow anemone seed in a regular 

 manner : it is united with, and enveloped in a downy substance, that, 

 upon being put together in quantity, adheres in such a manner as to 

 render it necessary to rub it between the hands for a considerable time 

 in dry sand previous to sowing ; otherwise the young plants would 

 rise in clusters, and not have space enough to form their roots. #* 



When you are ready to sow your ranunculus seed, take it out of 

 the bag, and if the weather be damp, spread it thin upon a sheet of 

 paper, before a moderate fire, till it is just warm, and no more; then 

 rub it out and clean it perfectly from any pieces of the stalk, dried 

 petals of the flower or other extraneous matter, which, if sown with 

 it, would create a mouldiness of very destructive consequence. 



The last ten days of December, any time in January, or even the 

 first week of February, the seeds may be sown, but when convenient, 

 the early sowing is preferable. Each kind should be sown separately 

 in shallow frames (of either one, two, or three lights, according to 

 the quantity), provided with glasses, similar to those made use of 

 for cucumbers and melons ; the soil should be taken out at least two 

 feet deep, and replaced with good and suitable soil such as is di- 

 rected on page 564 ; out of which the earth-worms should be care- 

 fully picked, for these are extremely destructive to the young plant, 

 which they draw from a considerable distance into their holes for 

 nutriment. 



When the pit is filled, so as to reach about six inches up the sides 

 and ends of the frame, it should be suffered to remain a few days to 

 settle ; then the surface should be made perfectly smooth and even, 

 and the seed sown upon it with the utmost regularity, in such quan- 

 tity as nearly to cover it, for accidents will befall many of them ; the 

 glasses should be placed on immediately, and the frame kept closely 

 covered with them for two or three days, till the seeds begin to swell, 

 observing to cover the glasses effectually at night and in severe wea- 

 ther, to keep out the frost, and also line the outside of the frame all 

 around to its full height with tan, leaves, or horse- dung, for a simi- 

 lar purpose : a little light earth should then be sifted over the seed 

 through a fine sieve, but not sufficient to cover it ; this should be re- 

 peated once or twice a week till the greater part of the seed disap- 

 pears. It is proper to remark in this place that such seed as happens 

 to be covered deeper than the thickness of a dollar will never vege- 

 tate, and must of course inevitably perish. 



It is necessary to keep the seed moderately moist by gentle occa- 

 sional waterings with soft water, that has been exposed to the sun or 

 to fire heat till the cold chill is off; this should be given from the 

 rose of a small watering pot, which rose should be of a hemispheri- 

 cal form, and perforated with very small holes that will discharge 

 fine streams of water in a very distinct and regular manner ; this 

 should be made of copper, it being less liable to corrode than iron. 



But although it is necessary to the vegetation of the seed that it 

 be kept moderately moist, too great a degree of moisture is never- 

 theless injurious, especially to the commencement of the spring heat, 

 and indeed at any period. 



When the young plants begin to appear, which, if sown in De- 



