PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 99 



admits of no change of essential characteristics, and must 

 infallibly preserve the variety. For this reason florists 

 generally depend upon cuttings, layers, or root divisions, 

 when they would be absolutely sure of results. In view 

 of these facts, you will not depend entirely, or even 

 chiefly, upon seedlings to supply your needs. 



Nevertheless, your question may be answered in the 

 affirmative. Besides the large number of annuals and 

 biennials commonly cultivated in summer gardens, there 

 are a few greenhouse perennials which may be easily- 

 grown from seeds, such as Ageratum, Cyclamen Persi- 

 cum, Centaureas, Cinerarias, Mcsembryanthemums (Ice 

 and Dew plants), Primulas, etc. With all such plants 

 seedlings may be preferred, on the score of cheapness in 

 first cost at least. Even with the more difficult kinds, 

 like CobcBCi scandens, Mimulus, " Smilax," or any others, 

 it may be worth while for you to make the experiment, if 

 only for the sake of experimenting. The cost in money 

 will be small, whatever it may be in time and labor. 

 With sufficient leisure for the purpose, there is certainly 

 no small pleasure in watching the daily growth of a 

 plant, and even in caring for its tenderest infancy ; and 

 who is better fitted than yourselves to undertake such 

 care, or could better hope for skill with experience ? 



In all cases, however, you will need at the 'beginning a 

 few helpful hints. The florists generally give something 

 like the following : 



1. Use only light, finely-pulverized soil, and for the 

 house let it be in shallow boxes, or in pots, choosing such 

 as are desired for the plants, if they are not to be trans- 

 planted. 



2. If the seeds are somewhat coarse, sprinkle the soil 

 over them to the depth of two or three times their diam- 

 eter ; if very fine, give no covering at all, but lightly 

 press the soil with anything having a flat surface like the 

 bottom of a pot. Lay on temporarily a piece of cotton 



