8 PLANT PROPAGATION 
and leaves, covered with a garden frame. When the 
excessive heat to which the hotbed will rise has declined 
to a temperature of 75 degrees, seed-pans and boxes may 
be stood on or plunged in the material. In such cases 
the seedlings must be gradually hardened off and placed 
in a position near the glass to prevent them from becom- 
-ing drawn up weakly, and air admitted on all favourable 
occasions. Such a hotbed covered with a layer of about 
9 inches of soil is very useful in the spring for raising 
Celery, Stocks, Asters, Zinnias, etc., as it is desirable 
to get forward early. | | 
The receptacles in which seeds are to be sown may con- 
sist of flower-pots, seed-pans, or shallow boxes 3 inches 
deep. Where the last named are extensively used, a 
saving of space is effected if they are all made of the 
same size, either square or oblong. Whether pots, pans, 
or boxes be used, they should be clean, dry, and well 
drained before the soil is put in. There should be ample 
outlet at the base, so that surplus water may drain away 
freely and not be allowed to sodden and to sour the 
compost. 
For small seed the soil should be sifted through a } or 
4 inch sieve, and may consist of loam 2 parts, well- 
decayed leaf-mould 1 part, and sand 4 a part. With 
peat-loving plants peat may be substituted for the loam. 
Let it be a rule when the seed is of a reliable quality to 
sow thinly, and as soon as the young seedlings are big 
enough to handle either to pot them singly into small 
pots or to prick them off into pots, pans, or boxes filled 
with fine compost, but not quite so fine as that used for 
raising the seed. | 
A pointed wooden label answers very well for lifting 
the young plants, and a small dibber made of any hard 
