ON SEEDS AND SEED SOWING 



shrubs. Thus it is advisable to sow seeds of these in 

 autumn as soon as they can be obtained. Many will 

 germinate satisfactorily if sown in spring, others will 

 not. 



The seeds of hardy perennials, a class that includes 

 so many popular border plants e.g. Delphinium, Lupin, 

 Hollyhock, etc., are best sown in boxes in autumn, the 

 seedlings passing the winter in a cold frame. In spring 

 they may be sown outdoors in drills on a well-prepared 

 border in semi-shade. Hardy annuals are commonly 

 sown where they are to bloom, in autumn for spring and 

 early summer flowers, in spring for summer and autumn 

 bloom. Seeds of choice hardy trees and shrubs are gener- 

 ally sown in boxes, which may be left outside all the 

 winter. Seeds of the giant Water Lily (Victoria Regia), 

 and of the Indian Rice (Zizania aquatica), also a water 

 plant, are best kept in water until sowing time. 



It is well for the practical gardener to know that 

 there are two chief classes of seeds, called albuminous 

 and exalbuminous, for this knowledge has a practical 

 bearing. In the former class the seedling derives 

 nourishment from the seed until able to look after itself, 

 while in the case of exalbuminous seeds sustenance is 

 at first derived from the seed leaves or cotyledons. The 

 Pea is an example of the albuminous seed, and if, while 

 the seedling is quite young, the seed is cut off, the plant 

 will die. An excellent example of an exalbuminous seed 

 is found in the Tomato ; as the first leaves grow the 



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