HARCH.] THE NURSERY. 



chance, sow some on shady borders of light, dry, loamy earth, and 

 also in boxes, 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. 

 Immediately 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 frequent- 

 ly light sprinklings 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 midday 

 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 frost, 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 care- 

 ful to give them shade and water in summer, and some slight pro- 

 tection in winter, and in the beginning of April, plant them out into 

 Nursery rows as directed for firs and pines, in page 267, 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 au- 

 tumn after being thus planted out. 



.Vote. ...All other minute seeded shrubby plants, such as erica's, 

 Sec. when propagated by seed, should be treated in the above man- 

 ner ; with this difference, that they must have protection and heat 

 in winter, in proportion to their necessities, and soil adapted to their 

 respective natures. Such may also be raised under bell-glasses, 

 without the assistance of moss, as these confine the evaporations 

 from the earth, thereby preserving a moist atmosphere around the 

 plants, 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 disappear*- 

 ance of various other crops, in warm climates. 



Calycanthus, Franklinia, and Gcrdonia's. 



The Calycanthus jloridus, or Carolina All-spice, commonly- 

 called the sweet-scented shrub, is deserving of a place in every 

 pleasure-garden, on account of the delightful odour of its flowers. 

 It is easily propagated by layers or suckers ; the most eligible time 

 of laying it, is in autumn, and by the spring following twelve 

 months* they may be taken off, and planted with good success. 



