40 



npplymg the pollen to the pistil by the aid of a 

 camel' s-hair brush. A very fine-pointed pair of scis- 

 sars must be employed, and great care in removing 

 the anthers. 



The breeders should be placed in a frame made for 

 the purpose, and having lights to fit it like a cucum- 

 ber frame. The sides should be a foot and a half 

 broad and one inch thick, and small cross-bars should 

 be fitted within in the form of those for a window- 

 sash. These cross-bars are to support a covering of 

 the finest net, such as is employed for making ladies' 

 caps, which must be nailed tightly over, so as to ex- 

 clude even a small fly, and thus you will prevent ac- 

 cidental impregnation. 



Sowing. — If autumn sowing be adopted, we recom- 

 mend the seed to be sown soon after it is ripe, not 

 later than September. But if, as directed by Hogg 

 and Emmerton, the seed is kept out of the ground 

 until January or February, let it be preserved in the 

 seed vessels, and kept in a cool, not very dry, room. 

 If sowing immediately the seed is ripe be the mode 

 adopted, the system recommended by Mr. P. Corn- 

 field, florist, of Northampton, may be advantageously 

 pursued : — 



When the seed is ripe, he prepares the soil to re- 

 ceive it in the following manner : — Sift the soil, which 

 is chiefly of bog and old rotten cowdung ; then 

 sprinkle it, to make it quite moist ; then put some of 



