Round the Year in the Garden 



Old and New Seeds. The question of the value 

 of old seeds is one that arises at this season. Generally 

 it may be said that new seeds are more reliable than 

 old ones, and for that reason it is not wise wholly to 

 trust to the latter. Some seeds retain their vitality 

 much longer than others, and no one seems to know 

 how long seeds will keep in a sound condition. Doubtless 

 it depends largely upon where and in what manner 

 they have been stored. Most gardeners have had the 

 experience, at some time or another, of digging deeply 

 a plot of ground that has lain undisturbed for years, 

 and have been surprised to find a crop of strange weeds 

 spring up. Some growers prefer old seeds, for example, 

 of Melon, Cucumber and Sweet Pea, and assert that 

 they germinate better than fresh ones, and one has 

 often heard of various seeds which, having been kept 

 over several winters, gave quite a satisfactory crop of 

 seedlings. But equally unsatisfactory reports are given 

 of the results following the use of old seeds, and it is 

 not safe to trust to them altogether. There is, however, 

 no reason why one should not sow any old seeds one 

 happens to possess, for, if they germinate, the plants 

 ought to prove quite satisfactory. If old seeds alone 

 are relied upon, it is quite likely that some will 

 disappoint. 



Flowers to Raise from Seed. In a greenhouse in 

 which the night temperature does not fall below about 

 60 seeds may be sown of Geranium, Fuchsia, Pentstemon, 

 Perpetual and Border Carnations, Tuberous Begonia, 

 Snapdragon and Hollyhock. The Border Carnations are 

 not likely to blossom this year, but the others will 

 develop into flowering plants by summer and the Per- 

 petual Carnations in winter. Hollyhocks are now 

 treated as annuals by many gardeners, and from seed 

 sown this month in the greenhouse a first-rate display 

 is obtained. Grevillea robusta, know as the Australian 

 Silky Oak, is an attractive and easily grown plant, 



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