January The Passing of Winter 



back the shoots ; when fresh growths are about 2 inches 

 long they are ready to be inserted as cuttings. One of 

 the finest plants for sub-tropical gardening, for which 

 purpose those of handsome foliage are chiefly used, is the 

 Castor Oil plant (Ricinus). This grows 4 or 5 feet high, 

 and has large, finely-formed, bronze-coloured leaves that 

 are most ornamental. Seeds should be sown without 

 delay. Caiina, or Indian Shot, though usually increased 

 by division of the roots, is not difficult to raise from seed, 

 providing this is soaked in water for a day or two previous 

 to sowing ; the covering is hard, and unless precaution is 

 taken to moisten the seeds thoroughly, germination is 

 likely to be slow. Bottom heat is also advisable, such, 

 for instance, as is provided by placing the boxes of seeds 

 on the hot- water pipes. 



Sowing Sweet Peas. Those who wish to grow the 

 very finest Sweet Peas, having stems 15 to 18 inches 

 long, and not less than three or four blooms on a stem, 

 should sow the seeds within the next week or two. 

 Autumn sowing probably gives the best of all Sweet 

 Peas, but, failing this, late January or early February 

 is the best time to start. The seeds are often sown 

 five in a 5-inch flower -pot, though it is preferable to 

 put one seed in a small pot, for when planting out is 

 practised there is less danger of damaging the roots. 

 A temperature of 50 is sufficient to ensure germination 

 within two or three weeks ; some growers chip the 

 outer covering ; others soak the seeds in warm water 

 with the object of hastening germination. It does not 

 always follow that because a seed is small it will produce 

 an inferior plant; seeds of the lavender-coloured varie- 

 ties, for example, are generally small and of shrivelled 

 appearance. Readers not possessing a greenhouse or 

 frame may place the pots containing the seeds under 

 the shelter of a wall; they will be rather later than 

 those sown under glass, though probably as good. 

 While the seedlings are progressing, opportunity should 



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