SEED-SOWING. 27 



SEED-SOWING. 



It is simply impossible to do more than speak generally on 

 this subject, than which, perhaps, there is none more perplex- 

 ing to the amateur horticulturist. When, how, and where 

 shall I sow ? are questions which occur to every one who re- 

 ceives seeds of which he knows nothing whatever, or very little, 

 as the case may be. The experienced horticulturist is well 

 up, as a rule, in the temperature and other conditions best 

 suited to the germination of the seeds of most garden-plants ; 

 and when he obtains unknown seeds from abroad, he, from 

 past experience and experiment, seldom fails, if they are 

 in good condition. All I shall here attempt will be to give 

 such general instructions on seed-sowing as may be useful to 

 the young horticulturist and to inexperienced amateur culti- 

 vators. " How deep shall I sow my seeds? " is a very common 

 question, and one not difficult to answer, since it depends 

 mainly on the size of the seed and constitutional vigour of the 

 plant. A depth of about two inches is sufficient for the large 

 seeds of such strong-growing plants as Peas, Beans, Cereals, 

 and others of a similar character ; indeed there are scarcely 

 any seeds which should be sown deeper, in the open ground, 

 than this. For such medium-sized seeds as Onions, Lilies, 

 Tulips, Hyacinths, Cabbage and other Brassicas, Carrots, 

 Antirrhinums, Sweet-Williams, Wallflowers, and hardy annuals, 

 a depth of from half an inch to an inch is amply sufficient 

 half an inch if they are small, and about an inch if large. Dr 

 Regel has demonstrated that the covering of soil is only neces- 

 sary to preserve an equable condition of moisture around the 

 seeds. If some of the finest and smallest seeds as, for instance, 

 those of Calceolarias, Ericas, Rhododendrons, Epacris, &c. 

 are sown on the surface of the soil, and an equable condition of 

 moisture maintained by covering the pot with a pane of glass, 

 the seeds will germinate in the full sunshine much better than 

 if they had received a slight covering of soil. This is a plain 

 proof that absence of light is not absolutely necessary for the 

 germination of seeds. The smallest seeds those like fine 

 gunpowder or sand, of which Primulas, Calceolarias, Gloxinias, 

 Pinks and Carnations, Sweet-Basil, and many others, may 

 be mentioned as examples scarcely require to, and indeed 

 should not, be covered at all ; and it is principally with delicate 

 seeds, like those just mentioned, that the amateur fails. All 

 very small seeds, even if hardy, are best sown on the surface of 



