276 THE NURSERY. | March. 



spring, so that it will be necessary to keep the ground very free 

 from weeds all the time. 



Magnolias. 



The seeds of the different kinds of magnolia should be sown 

 immediately after being ripe, or be preserved in damp sand or earth 

 till March; for if kept dry till that time, very few, if any, will vege- 

 tate till the year following; and indeed may not until the second 

 season, even if sown when ripe. They may also be propagated by 

 layers and suckers, and by grafting and budding upon one another. 



lihododendons, Kahnias, Azalias and Andromedas. 



Each and every species and variety of the above beautiful fami- 

 lies of plants maybe propagated either by seeds, layers or suckers. 

 The finest plants are always raised from seed, and although the 

 process may be thought tedious, it is worth attending to; the more 

 especially as they do not always succeed well when taken from the 

 woods, and that thousands may be raised in this way, which may be 

 successfully removed to any place where wanted. 



The capsules should be collected when the seeds are perfectly 

 ripe, and if you intend to sow them immediately, which is certainly 

 the better way, expose the capsules a few days to dry, but not to a 

 powerful sun; they will then open, and the seeds will easily shake 

 out; but if you do not intend sowing them till February or March, 

 preserve them in the capsules till that time. To have a double 

 chance sow some on shady borders of light, dry, loamy earth, and 

 also in boxes, making the ground very fine and even on the surface, 

 then sow the seeds thickly thereon, and cover them not more than 

 the eighth of an inch deep, or rather so as barely to hide them. 

 Immediately cover the beds or boxes with moss, in order to shade 

 the surface and vegetating; seed from the influence of the sun, or 

 parching air; for when the small descending radicles are protruded, 

 if the earth gets dry below them, all will be destroyed; and the 

 seeds being so very minute, if covered deep, can never come up; 

 therefore it will be necessary to give them shade and very fre- 

 quently light sprinkles of water; the moss will prevent its washing 

 the earth oft* the seeds, and will gently communicate the moisture 

 to the surface thereof. When the plants begin to appear, thin the 

 moss, and expose them but by slow degrees as they collect strength. 

 If the boxes be placed in a green-house, or under the protection of 

 garden frames and glasses, from the time of sowing the seeds till 

 the middle of May, it will be a great advantage; observing that 

 the plants when up, must be carefully protected from the mid-day 

 sun whilst in an infant state. Towards the middle of May remove 

 the boxes to some comforting shade to remain there till the latter 

 end of October, then place them in a warm exposure till the approach 

 of severe frosts, when they may be put into a garden frame, and 

 slightly protected during winter. Suft'er the plants to remain in 

 the seed boxes or beds till they have two years growth, being care- 



