34 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



the fresh soil with the back of the spade, and covering 

 with a thin layer of earth, then moistening with water 

 from a fine rose. Care must be taken through the winter 

 to prevent the attacks of mice, which are exceedingly 

 partial to oily seeds. An occasional airing on mild days 

 will be beneficial ; and should the soil become dry, a slight 

 sprinkling will be necessary. As the warm days of spring 

 approach, the young seedlings will commence showing 

 themselves above ground, and the attention of the garden- 

 er is demanded at this particular period. A slight lifting 

 of the sashes during the warmer portions of the day, care- 

 ful syringing, and an occasional watering, will be neces- 

 sary. As the plants mature their wood, the sash may be 

 dispensed with, for the critical season will be past. 



An excellent plan for growing rare species is to sow the 

 seeds during the autumn in boxes of light, sandy loam, that 

 is entirely devoid of any stimulating manures, care being 

 taken that the seeds are placed thinly over the surface and 

 not covered too deeply ; also that the boxes have perfect 

 drainage. By placing them under the staging of a cool 

 green-house, and keeping them moderately moist, but never 

 wet, the young plants Avill make their appearance quite 

 early in the spring. Especial care is required at this 

 critical period that the soil be neither too wet nor yet 

 too dry; either extreme will prove fatal to the seed- 

 lings. One year old plants may be set out in a cold frame, 

 or planted singly in small pots, according to the rarity 

 of the kind. 



The following process, as recommended by T. Meehan, 

 Editor of the Gardener's Monthly, we have thoroughly 

 tested and found to possess unusual merits : 



" A common board frame is placed over a carefully pre- 

 pared bed of light mould, and covered with shaded hot- 

 bed snsh. Under each corner of the frame is placed a 

 prop, raising the bottom about three inches above the sur- 

 face of the ground. The advantages of this contrivance 



