PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 193 



sunflower, artichoke, burnet, 14; balm, clover, 15; laven- 

 der, purslane, 1G; sage, pepper, 20; parsnip, parsley, 

 asparagus, 21; and potato in 28 days. It seems that seeds 

 lighter than water do not germinate so soon as those 

 heavier. 



Though seeds will vegetate with due supplies of heat 

 and moisture, a fertile soil is necessary for their further 

 progress. Fine, light, rich mould favors the vegetation 

 and early progress of most seeds, though many, after they 

 are a little advanced, flourish best in strong, heavy loam. 

 A compost of peat or leaf-mould, fine sand, and well rot- 

 ted manure, should be prepared, and if all the finer seeds 

 are covered therewith, one great difficulty in growing- 

 fine vegetables on stiff soils will be removed, as well as 

 their early maturity secured. Even in dry weather one 

 can generally bring up seeds by digging and finely pul- 

 verizing the earth; then soaking it well with water that 

 has been some time exposed to the air to raise its tem- 

 perature; then sowing the seed in drills of the proper 

 depth, and sifting over the bed a coat of this compost. 

 In the case of large seeds, as corn, beans, etc., after the 

 ground is prepared, only the hills or drills need to be thus 

 soaked, and then covered with the compost. 



Special directions for managing seeds requiring 

 peculiar care will be given hereafter. 



But the best management will be of no avail if one does 

 not get the right seeds. It is not pleasant to see Early 

 Yorks growing where one sowed what he bought for 

 Drumheads. The way to avoid such mistakes is either to 

 raise your own seeds and carefully label them, or to know 

 of whom you buy. Your own eye in the case of many 

 seeds will not assist you at all in discriminating. 



Seed must not only be of the right sort, but true to that 

 sort. Early York cabbage seed may be sown, or Scarlet 

 radish seed; yet, from having been planted near to some 

 13 



