262 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



expense of glass, fuel, labour, and the frequent purchase of high-priced 

 varieties have become unnecessary. 



The wide range of this revolution enhances its importance. We 

 can not only grow the finest Cinerarias from seed in one season, but 

 also the finest Begonias, Cyclamens, Gloxinias, Primulas, Geraniums, 

 Pansies, and Verbenas. In fact many of the so-called perennial 

 flowers conform to the new rule, and become veritable annuals or 

 biennials, and produce the most delightful display of flowers with the 

 very simplest treatment. 



There is one most important point in this transfer of the business 

 from the potting-shed and the crowded frames and plant-houses to 

 the seed-bed, and a few pots and pans for flower growing. The 

 important point is, that when the thing is well done we not only save 

 time and money, but we have equal quality to the named sorts and 

 greater variety and variety is constantly desired. We have instanced 

 the Cineraria, and now for another illustration we will take the 

 Hollyhock. It is not long since the named varieties were perpetuated 

 by the troublesome process of cuttings, or by grafting buds on roots 

 of seedlings in houses heated to tropical temperature. In many 

 places it was the custom to lift the old plants and pot them, and keep 

 them through the winter in pits. All this was found necessary to 

 insure fine flowers. While the burden of the work was thus ren- 

 dered heavy, the constitution of the plant was enfeebled ; it became 

 a prey to disease, and at one time the fear was entertained that its 

 annihilation was at hand. But the new system has saved the Holly- 

 hock, and at the same time afforded a striking example of the 

 important point just referred to, for seed saved scientifically is found 

 to reproduce the varieties it was taken from, and seedling Hollyhocks 

 grown as annuals give double flowers of the finest quality, and, what 

 is of utmost consequence, the seedling plants are less liable to disease. 

 The constant law of Nature, that progeny take after their parents, is 

 as clearly manifested in the flower garden as anywhere ; and the finest 

 flowers, however peculiar and delicate in their colours, markings, and 

 forms, are found to be reproducible from seed with remarkable 

 certainty, provided the seed has been secured by methods that skill 

 and experience have shown to be necessary for sustaining the qualities 

 of a breed or the characteristics of an individual. The Verbena 

 may be cited as another example of the same class as the Hollyhock. 

 This beautiful bedding plant has been propagated from cuttings 

 forced in heat, and systematically debilitated, so that now we have a 

 Verbena disease. But from suitable seed we can raise plants that 



