SEEDS AND SEED RAISING. 69 



It will be understood, that of ah" annual plants, such as 

 Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Egg Plants, Lettuce, Melons, 

 Peas, Radishes, Tomatoes, etc., the seed is saved the sea- 

 son of planting, and should be always taken from those 

 first maturing, if earliness is an object. The seeds of bi- 

 ennial vegetables, such as Beets, Carrots, Celery, Cab- 

 bages, Onions, Leeks, Parsley, Parsnips, etc., are raised by 

 selecting the best specimens from those preserved over 

 winter, planting them out in good soil on the opening of 

 spring, at distances such as are recommended for their 

 growing. 



DURATION or GERMINATION IN SEEDS. There are very 

 few seeds that will not germinate as freely the second year 

 as the first, if properly kept in a cool place, and not ex- 

 posed to either a too drying or too damp an atmosphere. 

 With the exception of Parsnips, Onions, and Leeks, I would 

 just as confidently sow seed two years old, as when fresh 

 gathered ; but there is a limit to the vitality of seeds, va- 

 rying much in the different species. 



Among those, only safe for two years, are : Beans and 

 Peas, of all kinds ; Peppers, Carrot, Egg Plant, Okra, 

 Salsify, Thyme, Sage, and Rhubarb. 



Those safe for three years : Asparagus, Endive, Lettuce, 

 Parsley, Spinach, and Radish. 



Those safe for four years : Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cab- 

 bage, Celery, and Turnip. 



Those possessing the greatest vitality are: Beet, Cu- 

 cumber, Melon, Pumpkin, Squash, and Tomato ; the time 

 ranging from five to ten years. 



We often find this knowledge very valuable ; for exam- 

 ple, in procuring the stock of a seed said to be good, of a 



