204 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



ment will suit them equally well. The soil should be principally 

 loam and sand, with a little old thoroughly well-rotted manure from 

 a hot-bed or compost heap ; and light, air, and moisture must be 

 regulated with a view to insure a free and vigorous growth from the 

 first, and with the least possible amount of artificial heat. In some 

 cases, however, the sowing should be deferred to March or April, and 

 the result will be far more satisfactory than the growth made under 

 the stimulus of artificial heat earlier in the season. In any case, 

 however, the plants must have time enough ; for although we have 

 developed this rapid system, we have not in any great degree changed 

 the constitution of the plants, and those that have heretofore been 

 classed as biennials and perennials may be regarded as needing a long 

 season when treated as annuals. 



A considerable proportion of the finest flowers may be raised from 

 seed by the aid of a frame and a little careful management. We will 

 suppose a case of a very restricted garden, so as to write below instead 

 of above the mark. Here is a smallish frame and some packets of 

 seed, and the month of February or March has arrived. The pans 

 and pots are made ready with nice sweet sandy compost, and the 

 seeds are sown and labelled, and the pots and pans are packed 

 together in the frame on a bed of clean coal ashes, or some slates, or 

 tiles, or bricks laid on the soil, to promote warmth and cleanliness, 

 and to prevent the intrusion of worms amongst the seeds. Now, by 

 simple management we may secure almost as quick a growth of seeds 

 in this frame as with the aid of a hot-bed, and the secret consists in 

 careful storage of the heat of the sun. Lay over the seed-pans 

 sheets of glass to prevent evaporation, and let the sun shine full 

 upon them. Be careful as to moisture ; they must never be wet, 

 never dry, and the water must not be slopped about carelessly. It is 

 a good rule to immerse the pots or pans in a vessel containing soft 

 water, slightly tepid. When the seedlings begin to appear, give a 

 little air and lay sheets of paper tenderly over them during the hour 

 or two at midday when the sun may be shining brightly. But keep 

 them from the first as * hard ' as possible with plenty of light and air, 

 always taking care they are not roasted, nor blown away by the cruel 

 east wind, nor nipped at night by a killing frost. A few old mats or 

 light loppings of trees laid over the frame from sundown to sunrise 

 will be sufficient protection at those trying times ; and when spring 

 frosts are making havoc with the tender sprouting leaf and bloom in 

 every part of the garden those little things will be safe under their 

 glass cover, and slight experience will show that a common frame 



