132 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



Propagation by Division or Offsets. Offsets may be taken 

 from the old tubers before storing for the winter. These 

 small tubers will probably not flower the following season, 

 they should therefore be planted in a nursery bed by them- 

 selves. 



Propagation by Seed. The seeds must be saved from 

 flowers likely to improve the breed ; they must be looked 

 for in semi-double flowers. Form is the first property to 

 attend to. When the seed is ripe gather it immediately, or 

 the wind will soon disperse it. Keep gathering it as it 

 ripens ; when it is perfectly dry, wrap it up in paper, and 

 keep it in a dry, cool place till wanted. 



Solving. Early in Spring mix a compost of strong loam 

 and leaf mould, and fill some boxes or seed-pans r well- 

 drained, very nearly full ; sift a portion of it, and place a 

 thin layer over the rough compost, and press it very gently 

 down. Mix the seed with some fine soil, rubbing it and the 

 soil well together till the seeds are separated from each other. 

 Sow this mixture upon the soil in the boxes or shallow pans; 

 press it down level, and with a fine sieve sift some of the 

 compost evenly over it, the thickness of a shilling ; then 

 water gently with a fine-rose watering pot. Place the seed- 

 pans under glass in a cold frame or pit, or in front of a fence 

 facing the east, and cover with a sheet of glass to protect 

 them from heavy showers. Whenever the soil appears dry, 

 give water, and in strong sunshine place a shade over them 

 till the seedlings appear above ground, and have attained a 

 leaf or two to each plant. Search well about where the 

 boxes or seed-pans stand, and even lift them up, and examine 

 under them, to see if any slugs or wood-lice have crept there 

 to hide themselves. Continue this attention till the leaves 

 begin to decay, and then cease watering. When the leaves 

 are all decayed, and Winter is approaching y place the pans 

 or boxes of seedlings in some very cool place where no rain 

 can fall upon them, and keep them there till Spring. About 

 the middle of September bring them out, and give them a 

 good watering. Sift over the soil a thin layer of fresh 

 compost, and repeat the care and attention with regard to 

 watering, looking after insects, and keeping clear of weeds 

 as in the previous season. This second year, when the 

 leaves fail, and the plants are at rest, the tubers will have 



