Growing Flowers 177 



dry them up, blow the sand off, and scatter them 

 in every direction. 



A little system in planting flowers and seed will 

 aid greatly the following season. Keep a record 

 book of the date when seeds are planted, the date 

 when they first appear above gro md, the care 

 given the young plants, etc. Jot down the age of 

 perennials when purchased, the care given, and 

 any detail which will be useful in planting again. 

 The garden will be ever so much more interesting 

 when such personal care is given it and the flowers 

 will seem almost to have personalities. 



When several different kinds of seeds are planted 

 in one flat, plant only those of the same size, other- 

 wise they cannot be covered or watered properly. 



All seed with thick skins and all large seed with 

 even thin skins should be soaked over night in cold 

 water or for several hours in warm water, not hot, 

 before planting. This loosens the skin, makes it 

 shrink, and prepares the seed for quick germination. 

 No seed will be harmed by soaking if not left in the 

 water too long. 



When the flats have been prepared for seed, fur- 

 rows should be made and the seed planted at once 



12 



