588 Cultivation of Plants. 



quickly germinate and grow with more vigour, and thus form 

 stronger plants, and escape, to a certain extent, the ravages of 

 birds and insects. Propagation by division the means em- 

 ployed to increase Arabis albida, London Pride, &c. should 

 be done in winter, whenevei the weather is suitable. The 

 principal hardy bulbous and rhizomatous perennials, such as 

 Irises, Snowdrops, Crocuses, Tulips, Lent-Lilies, &c., also in- 

 crease rapidly in favourable soil ; but this class of plants will 

 be treated of separately, as many of them require exceptional 

 conditions to ensure their complete development. 



A few words respecting the raising and treatment of the 

 more delicate species may be useful ; but knowledge of the 

 peculiar habits of different plants, and consequent difference in 

 treatment, must be gained by actual experience ; and obser- 

 vation will soon supply the clue to proper treatment in most 

 instances. Nearly all of the small-seeded plants, and those 

 whose seeds usually lie dormant for a considerable period, as 

 well as rare or small-growing species, require the shelter 

 of a cold pit to raise them in, and afford them protection 

 until they have attained sufficient strength to be transferred 

 to the open ground. Ordinary frames placed where they will 

 obtain abundance of light will answer all purposes very well. 

 They should be shallow, and have a depth of about six to nine 

 inches of coal-ashes, sand or tan, or other material in the bottom, 

 for plunging the pots in, and thus ensuring effective drainage, 

 so as to prevent the accumulation of water. Coal-ashes are as 

 good as anything for this purpose, as they move freely and are 

 unfavourable to worms, one of the worst scourges in seed-pots. 

 The pots or pans used should have a good layer of sherds in 

 the bottom to ensure perfect drainage, or the soil may soon 

 become sour. For general purposes a compost of free loam, 

 thoroughly rotted leaf-mould, or dung from an old hot-bed, 

 and sufficient sharp sand to keep it from binding, will be found 

 suitable. About one-fourth of leaf-mould or rotten stable 

 dung will be ample, and if the loam be rich, a smaller propor- 

 tion would suffice. Seeds should be covered with soil accord- 

 ing to their size ; a layer about their respective thicknesses 

 may be observed as a general rule. Very minute seeds should 

 not be covered at all, merely sown on the surface of the 

 moistened soil, with perhaps a slight sprinkling of sand. A 

 little extra sand on the surface may be recommended for all 

 seed-pots, as it prevents the soil from forming a crust. A 



