138 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



also upon the consistency of the loam. A few pieces of general advice, 

 however, will be of great service to the beginner. For the majority of 

 plants, such as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Heliotropes, Petunias, and a 

 host of similar subjects, a suitable compost may be formed of two-parts 

 loam to one-part leaf-mould, or, failing this, peat, and about half a part 

 each of sand and decayed manure. None of the ingredients should be 

 sifted, but the lumps broken up with the hand; indeed, the sieve is 

 frequently a mistake, as it deprives the soil of the matter which renders 

 it porous. For cuttings, seed-sowing, and transplanting tiny seedlings, 

 the soil should be passed through a sieve with a quarter of an inch mesh, 

 but for general potting it must not be sifted. When the mixture above 

 mentioned is thoroughly incorporated together, it is fit for use. In 

 potting, see that the soil contains the requisite amount of moisture, as 

 if too dry or too wet future success is unlikely. A good guide is to 

 take a handful of soil and press it tightly together. It should be 

 sufficiently moist to retain its shape, and yet dry enough to crumble to 

 pieces when rubbed. If dry soil is damped, it must stand twenty-four 

 hours before use, in order to allow the mass to be in one condition of 

 moisture. 



Though these directions as to the mixing of soil, &c., are given, the 

 amateur with limited space who happens to reside in the neighbourhood 

 of a nursery or florist, will be able to obtain suitable soil for general 

 purposes already mixed at a cheap rate, and will find this a convenient 

 method to adopt. 



Seed Sowing and Propagation by Cuttings. Many beautiful 

 flowering plants can be raised from seed, including not only many 

 available for the greenhouse itself, but also that large class known as 

 tender annuals, which should be raised under glass and planted out 

 later on. Such popular flowers as China Asters, Zinnias, Balsams, and 

 Celosias may be treated in this way. Whether seeds are sown in boxes, 

 pans, or pots, the method of procedure remains the same. Thorough 

 drainage is necessary, therefore ensure this by putting a layer of broken 

 crocks in the bottom of the pot, pan, or box. On this place the soil and 

 press it down moderately firm to about half an inch below the rim. 

 Make it level, but do not pat the surface smooth, as this prevents the 

 roots from entering readily into the soil when the seed germinates. 

 Having prepared the receptacles, sow the seed by sprinkling it on the 

 surface of the soil, taking care not to sow too thickly. There is a great 

 tendency to do this, especially in the case of small seeds that retain their 

 vitality well, and if crowded together the seedlings quickly become 

 weakened, and never attain the vigour of those that are allowed ample 

 space from birth. After sowing cover the seeds by a sprinkling of soil that 

 has been passed through a sieve with a quarter of an inch mesh. The 

 depth of the covering depends greatly upon the size of the seeds, a good 

 general guide being to bury the seed at its own depth below the surface 

 of the soil. This in the case of minute seeds means merely a slight 

 sprinkling. Some seeds, such as those of Acacias and Cannas, are very 

 hard, and frequently take a long time to germinate if sown in the 

 ordinary way. To assist germination the seeds are sometimes filed, 



