10 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



tomato, egg-plant, and subtropical flowers. If planted 

 in the open air in any part of the Union, we must wait 

 until the soil is warm enough to germinate the seeds 

 quickly to secure healthy after-growth. 



11. Seeds in Shallow Boxes, or " Flats." "What are known 

 to propagators as "flats" are shallow boxes with sides 

 four inches high and perforated bottoms. The size as to 

 length and width is varied for different uses and conven- 

 ience in handling. These are filled with fine rich soil 

 favorable for the germination of delicate seeds unsafe for 

 open-air planting. They are used by amateurs and pro- 

 fessional growers for growing plants, such as tomato, egg- 

 plant, peppers, and small flower-seeds, both Northern and 

 Southern. Very delicate seeds, such as those of the ver- 

 bena, are planted in rows with slight covering, and the 

 whole surface is then pressed down with a board. The 

 pressed surface is then covered with sheets of porous 

 carpet-paper cut to the size of the box. In watering, the 

 paper is taken off for sprinkling gently, so that the surface 

 will not be washed. When the plants begin to show, the 

 paper is taken off. At home the box can be kept in a 

 warm, well-lighted room, or in a gentle hot-bed. As soon 

 as the plants develop perfect leaves they are potted in 

 thumb-pots, which can also be kept in the "flats" with 

 the open spaces filled with sand or earth, where they 

 remain until outside conditions are favorable for planting 

 out. 



12. Seeds in the Hot-bed. Bottom heat, secured by 

 manure in the heating stage, or by hot water or steam, is 

 much used by professional gardeners, and to less extent 

 by amateurs for starting subtropical plants, such as 

 tomato, pepper, egg-plant, and subtropical flowers. After 

 potting, the plants are set in flats and gradually hardened 

 for outdoor planting. As the hot-bed and cold-frame are 



