PROPAGATION 25 



\\ater the frame with a sprmkliiig can. Cover the frame with the 

 sash and shade it with cloth or whitewash. Raise the sash a few inches 

 when the smi is bright. According to the species the seed will ger- 

 minate in from four days to several months. 



CARE OF SEEDLINGS 



Many of the seedlings will be very small but if they are crowded 

 they should be transplanted when they have produced a couple of 

 leaves. Allowing the sash to remain closed during hot weather, keep- 

 ing them shaded on dull days, and letting the seedlings stand too closely 

 will result in damping-off, a disease very destructive to young seedhngs. 

 The smaUer sort of seedhngs and those of the less hardy species of 

 plants should be transplanted to another part of the frame so that they 

 stand 3 inches to 5 inches apart. The seedhngs which are large, rapid 

 growing and hardy may be transplanted to the open soil where they 

 remain for the Winter, providing this is done before September. 



The hot days of Summer will necessitate frequent watering of the 

 seedlings. Let the watering be thorough. 



DIVIDING PERENNIALS 



Usually perennials are more easily propagated by division than by 

 any other means. This is true of certain of the more rampant growers, 

 especially the hardy Asters, the perennial Sunflowers, Heleniums, Achil- 

 leas, Roltonias, Hardy Chrysanthemums, Shasta Daisies and Sweet Wil- 

 hams. Certain other perennials are impatient of being moved and 

 seem to thrive for years without being disturbed; namely, Peonies, 

 Gypsophila, Bleeding Heart, Lupinus, Papaver, Gas Plant, Asclepias, 

 Adonis, Anemone japonica and Tritomas. On the other hand, Phlox, 

 Iris, Columbines, Delphiniums and such other medium-rapid pro- 

 ducers should be divided every three or four years, depending upon 

 the appearance of the clumps. Transplant them when the crowns 

 become woody or hollow and the flowers smaller. 



Generally speaking, the early flowered sorts should be divided in 

 August and the later blooming plants in the early Spring. Because 

 the new roots of Irises and Peonies are produced in early Fall, it seems 

 wise to transplant these two old favorites during July or August. 



Delphiniums require careful manipulation when they are divided, 

 for each division should have a good piece of crown and some roots. 

 Difficult subjects should have the soil washed from the roots, so that 

 the cuts may be made in the proper places. 



In dividing perennials it is not necessary that they be separated 

 into extremely small pieces, otherwise their garden value will be 



