84 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



they should be treated exactly like tender annuals, or early tomato plants; 

 prick them out in other boxes, giving a little space, and as the season 

 advances give them air, to harden them somewhat. See that they are in 

 such a situation that they do not become spindling and weak. Usually, if 

 the seedlings are given space of an inch each way in the second box, they 

 will grow along all right until they can be planted out, although I always 

 think that it pays me, in the long run, to transplant them the second time, 

 before they are put outside; the planting-out must not be done until the 

 weather is warm and settled, for the seedlings are very tender at first, even 

 if they readily withstand the following winter's cold. 



From these inside boxes they can be planted in the garden wherever thej^ 

 are desired to bloom, which they will do the same season, although, of 

 course, not so strongly nor so fully as when they become well established. 



This starting them under glass, however, is not what I would most 

 strongly urge. It is a good way when one only wants a few plants, but when 

 you would like a dozen or more of as many different kinds as possible of those 

 mentioned below, why then I wish to advise you to sow the seed out of doors. 

 Select a spot that is somewhat shaded, during part of the day, dig the soil 

 thoroughly, and if heavy, apply a two-inch dressing of fine coal ashes, well 

 worked into the soil, Have the spot large enough to give a whole row to 

 each kind of seed, at one end placing a label, having plainly written upon it 

 the name of the seed and the date of sowing. 



Sow the seed as early as the ground is in condition, quite thinly, as to 

 economize labor, the plants, after coming up, can be left in the seed rows, 

 which should have been placed about ten inches apart. In case more plants 

 have come up than are really needed, pull out the weakest, thin out crowded 

 spots leaving the ones wanted at as uniform distances apart as possible, 

 transplanting where necessary, in order to fill up empty spaces. During the 

 summer this bed of seedlings should be carefully weeded, and the ground 

 stirred, and the growth of the plants will be very satisfactory. Through the 

 winter a little strawy manure can be placed over them for safety, and in the 

 spring they can be transplanted to their flowering places, and an exceedingly 

 fine collection of hardy plants is had at but little expense, either of time or 

 money. 



By taking this means of supplying the hardy garden, there is the possi- 

 bility always present that you are just as liable to secure fine new varieties 

 as any nurseryman ; this really is a most fascinating point in the matter of 

 seedling growing. Then again, the plants gained in this way are, oftener 

 than not, likely to far exceed in vigor and blooming qualities, such as are 

 only a part of an old clump that was divided. 



The following is quite a complete list of such perennials as may be easily 

 raised from seed; the first named being such as are desirable for their 

 flowers, while the second list names those which present a striking appearance 

 mainly in the matter of foliage. 



