28 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



advisable to see that the strong do not crowd out the weak, and 

 in this kind of planting it is not possible to use the hoe, and 

 seedlings are sure to appear in abundance, often to the exclusion 

 of the choicest plants. This is true also of borders, and we find 

 that in a short time the best Larkspurs and Phloxes seem to 

 revert to original types, and Coliimbines hybridize out of recog- 

 nition ; but it is all explained by the fact that seedlings are too 

 numerous, and, until they bloom, have much the same appearance. 

 I am inclined to think the Aquilegias are not strictly perennial ; 

 they flower for a year or two, and then disappear. I think this 

 is true also to some extent with all plants that have not a tuber- 

 ous or bulbous root. We all know how difficult it is to keep 

 the true Rocky Mountain Columbine, or the Siberian Arjailegia 

 glandulosa ; this all means that we must have a reserve border, 

 where a few plants can be isolated for seed, and the seedlings 

 grown on to fill up losses, or we can test some doubtful plant 

 and propagate desirable ones. There are many reasons which 

 make a place of this description desirable that will occur 

 to all. 



Most hardy plants are easily raised from seed, and a seedling 

 plant that is healthy, even though it has never bloomed, is 

 preferable in the long run to any other ; there is no serious check 

 in transplanting, neither has it been weakened b}" flowering. 

 The best time to sow seed would be as soon as gathered ; but we 

 usually have too much hot weather at that time, and it is best to 

 wait until a cooler time in fall. If there is a greenhouse at dis- 

 posal, they can be sown at any time during winter ; but I much 

 prefer to get them large enough to be able to winter them over 

 in cold frames, where they do not start much earlier than they 

 would outdoors, and they can be placed in their permanent posi- 

 tions as soon as the ground permits. On the other hand, such as 

 have been grown in the greenhouse need as careful hardening off 

 as if not hardy, for they are made as tender as any plants by 

 their treatment indoors. If any of the seeds fail to germinate, 

 though they are known to be fresh, it is well to put them in a 

 cold place where the soil can be frozen well for a Aveek or two. 

 This seems essential to success Avith some, such as Ar/uiler/ia 

 Stuarti, A. glandulosa, Anthoricums, Hellebores, Clenuitises, 

 Rosa rvgosa, and many others that would germinate a few at a 

 time for years, but will co)ue u[) simultaneously if the freezing 



