198 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



5 inches long, planted directly in the soil in spring. The 

 plant is perennial, and the early shoots may be bleached 

 year after year. 



Seed Sowing. The general rule in sowing 



seeds is to cover them twice or three times their thickness. 

 This rule will apply to the majority of seeds, but in many 

 plants of a naturally short season of bloom or growth, an 

 instance of which is the sweet pea, it may be advisable 

 to sow the seed deeper, that the roots may have sufficient 

 moisture and be in a cool temperature through the hot 

 summer months. Also, in sowing very minute seed, as 

 tobacco, petunia, begonia, and others of like size, care 

 should be taken to have them only under the surface of the 

 soil, simply pressed down with a smooth surface or allowed 

 to settle into the soil with the soaking in of the water. The 

 soil for all seeds should be loose and porous, in order to 

 allow the -excessive moisture to escape and the warmth to 

 penetrate, but should be firmed directly over the seeds to 

 induce an upward flow of moisture. One of the most com- 

 mon mistakes in sowing seed is in sowing all kinds at the 

 same time without regard to the season, thus causing a fail- 

 ure with some, while others grow freely. All tender seed 

 should be sown only when the ground has become thoroughly 

 warm, while seeds of the so-called hardy plants may be 

 sown as early in the spring as the ground is fit to work. A 

 few kinds of seed are the better for soaking, especially such 

 as for some reason have been delayed in sowing. Sweet pea 

 seed is benefited by soaking if not put into the ground until 

 the soil is warm. Seed of canna, moonflower and others 

 with hard shells may be scraped until the outer shell is 

 pierced or is very thin. 



It is generally better to buy garden seeds than to grow 

 them, for those who make a business of seed-growing be- 

 come expert in the cultivation and selection of the plants. 



Seeds of most plants should be kept dry and 



