-62 THE CANADIAN HORTIGULTUTMST. 



soil according as you want the drills for tlie size of the seedi; if 

 fine, just mark; for larger ones make the indention deeper; this has; the 

 iidvantage of leaving a nice even bottom, so tliat none of the seeds, are 

 lost. After sowing the seed, again take the sieve and sift lightly ov-er 

 the grooves, and with a trowel fill them level by passing it crossways 

 «ver them. In sowing, attention .should be given to those .%eeds that 

 will germinate in the same time, such as Phlox Drummondi, Zinnias, 

 Asters, &c. Succulents, such as Portulaccas, Mesernbryanthemums, 

 &G., keep to one side, or where they will be in such a position that they 

 can get plenty of sun, and when watering as little water as possible. 



Now comes the time when most bad seeds are made. The general 

 plan is to allow the sun full force into the frame, and try to keep 

 the soil wet by continued watering. Neglect for one hour to keep the 

 soil damp at a time when the seeds are germinating is fatal ; besides, 

 a hard crust forms on the surface on account of the frequent watering. 

 The plan I follow is to cover up the frame in such a way that the direct 

 rays of the sun are not admitted. Seeds will germinate as well in the 

 dark as in the light. As soon as they are up remove the shade, 

 throwing a few spruce branches over as a partial shade for a few days. 

 If steam occurs allow it to escape by raising tlie sash on the sheltered 

 end in the heat of the day ; if this is not attended to you will have it 

 damp, and lose your plants. Here again you will find the advantage 

 of placing seeds together that will germinate at the same time, as 

 you can still keep those partially covered that liave not yet come up. 

 If you attend to these directions your seedsman will always have good- 

 seeds, and you will be made happy by success. 



In transplanting into another frame before putting them outside, 

 (which should be done in all cases,) if you have not another frame make 

 a bottom of warm manure, box it around so that it will stand v/ell 

 over plants of a good size, Put soil on the top of this, deeper than 

 directed for hot-bed ; nail a few strips across so that you can cover 

 with boards in case of frosts or cold winds, which we generally have in 

 the month of May. This plan I prefer to planting again into a frame, 

 as the plants are hardier and receive little check on planting out. 



The other cause of failure more generally belongs to outside sowing, 

 which I will treat in another number, with transplanting, bedding, &c. 

 I would not advise seeds to be bought in distinct colors----you can get 

 some mixed, ensuring greater variety at a much less expense, 



