Four] cfje 



time to germinate, labelling each section plainly with 

 name, date and the period of germination. 



Flowers that make the tallest growth may be placed 

 against the back with advantage as Cobaea scandens, 

 Ricinus, the Dolichos, Cosmos, and the like; giving 

 them the advantage of the extra light and keeping 

 them from withholding the light from the plants in 

 front of them. 



Coarse seeds should be planted in drills and covered 

 to twice their depth. A furrow may be scratched 

 with a sharp stick from an eighth to a half-inch deep, 

 and the seed sown thinly in it, the earth being replaced 

 and pressed firmly down with a piece of wood. This 

 is important, as it brings the seed in close contact with 

 the earth, and the tiny sprout can lay hold of it at once 

 when germination takes place. Many seeds of weak 

 germinating power are lost when sown in loose, coarse 

 soil by failure to obtain immediate contact with the 

 nourishment contained in it. 



Fine seeds like Petunias, Nicotianas and Ageratums 

 must be sown broadcast in little squares reserved for 

 them. Sow on the surface, press into the soil with a 

 piece of board and merely sift fine sand over. 



A piece of thin wood eight or ten inches long and 

 four or five inches wide, with a handle on one side, will 

 be found very useful to press the soil down quickly and 

 firmly. This should be an adjunct to every well- 

 regulated hotbed. So should a thermometer, hung 

 on the back wall of the hotbed, the bulb level with 



