43 



situation quite excluded from the sun, except in the 

 morning, placing closely over it a crown glass shade, 

 or what is called a striking glass, so as to fit the in- 

 side of the pot ; this will cause the seed to vegetate 

 much sooner; and by pouring the water upon the 

 top of the glass, the earth will receive sufficient mois- 

 ture, so that there will be no occasion to remove it. 

 The front of a greenhouse, or a cool frame, are good 

 places for the seed-pots to be placed in, but by no 

 means a hotbed; or, if not that accommodation, a 

 hand-glass, having tiles or slates placed underneath, 

 to keep the worms out of the pots ; great care being 

 taken to keep the earth in a regular moist state. In 

 about four or five weeks — perhaps three weeks — if in 

 a greenhouse, the seeds will break ground ; and when 

 the leaf begins to appear, take care, by degrees, to 

 admit air, first by raising the glass a little on one 

 side by a small piece of w^ood or tile, which can 

 easily be removed when it is found necessary to give 

 the plants water, which should still be done by pour- 

 ing it over the glass, by which means no risk is 

 incurred of washing up the plants, and every part of 

 the earth will get a sufficient degree of moisture, after 

 which air can again be admitted ; and, as the plants 

 advance in size, more air can be given by raising the 

 glass quite level all round, and as they get strength 

 let it be raised higher by degrees ; and when they 

 appear with four leaves, it may be entirely removed. 



