January The Passing of Winter 



house staging in such a position that water given to 

 the plants above falls on them; if the pots are placed 

 on their side this trouble is avoided. The roots of 

 Gloxinia and Tuberous Begonia may, towards the end 

 of the month, be taken out of the pots (the old soil 

 being removed) and started into growth again for 

 another season. It is best to place them in shallow 

 boxes filled with leaf -mould, not wholly covering them ; 

 the soil is kept fairly moist and the minimum tempera- 

 ture should be about 60. The old roots of Canna, or 

 Indian Shot, should be divided, the portions being re- 

 potted separately. They will form good plants by 

 summer. 



On Sowing Seeds. Most amateurs sow seeds too deeply, 

 with the result that germination is often unsatisfactory. 

 A rough guide may be given by stating that seeds should 

 be sown at a depth equal to twice their diameter. One 

 would not of course carry out this recommendation with 

 mathematical precision, but it may serve to indicate how 

 deeply they ought to be covered. It follows that tiny 

 seeds are not covered at all; those of Candytuft, for 

 example, need but an eighth of an inch or so of soil 

 above them. Warmth, moisture and some air are 

 essential to germination ; if seeds are buried toe 

 deeply they either decay or remain dormant. Greater 

 care is required in seed sowing under glass than out of 

 doors, for the gardener is responsible for the temperature 

 and the application of moisture, which, out of doors, are 

 largely beyond his control. It is essential to keep the 

 soil uniformly moist, and this is accomplished by immers- 

 ing the flower-pot or flower-pan to the rim in water for a 

 minute or two, as soon as the surface of the soil looks 

 somewhat dry. The moisture then rises to the surface, 

 wetting the soil through without disturbing the seeds. 

 Covering the seeds with glass and the glass with paper 

 tends to keep the soil moist and so obviates the need for 

 watering frequently. 



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