92 FARM HOMES, IN-DOORS AND OUT-DOORS. 



success in obtaining seedlings by sowing the seeds in 

 boxes, merely pressing them into the dirt with the palm 

 of her hand, sprinkling slightly, and covering them 

 lightly with a white cloth dipped in warm water. She 

 thinks the seeds are often baked to death under glass, 

 but under this moist white cloth they are all sure to ger- 

 minate. After the first tiny leaves have appeared, she 

 removes the cloth and gives them direct sunlight through 

 the morning hours, but takes care that it is tempered by 

 fresh air, so as not to be too hot for them. When a few 

 leaves have appeared, or after three or four weeks, they 

 can be transplanted to the beds where they are to grow, 

 if the ground is not too wet and cold. They will grow 

 best when not exposed to afternoon sunlight. Soap-suds 

 or liquid manures applied to the roots every two weeks 

 will increase their luxuriance, and their various and beau- 

 tiful colors will be a continual pleasure from June to 

 November. 



Petunias. White, white striped with carmine, and the 

 delicate little white-throated crimson sort, are good kinds 

 to select. They will have the best effect if transplanted 

 to beds or mounds by themselves. Their constant bloom 

 and delicate fragrance should never be missed from a 

 country home. The small crimson, and the striped and 

 blotched varieties, can be grown in windows, and will 

 gladden many a dark winter day, if given a place between 

 pots of Mignonette and Sweet Alyssum. Seeds should 

 be treated the same as Pansies. 



Salvia, or Flowering Sage, in the scarlet, white, and 

 blue varieties, is a very rich and beautiful flower, either 

 for the house or garden.. They are rather tender, and 

 must not be transplanted until all danger of frost is over. 

 Small plants can be placed in pots in the fall, cut down 

 a little, and kept for winter flowering. The roots of 

 Salvia Vjitcns, a deep rich blue sort, can be kept through 

 the winter like other tubers. 



