Herbaceous Per en n ia Is. 589 



little moss, too, is a very good thing to place on the top until 

 the seeds begin to germinate, especially where the seed is near 

 or on the top of the soil, as it secures the surface from being dis- 

 turbed by watering, and prevents rapid drying. Careful watering, 

 indeed, is of the utmost importance ; for while much moisture 

 with a low temperature is fatal to most things, seed-pots 

 should never be allowed to dry up. After a seed has once 

 started into life, its course cannot be interrupted with im- 

 punity, and until a plant has made considerable root it is 

 wholly dependent upon surface moisture. 



As has already been observed, there is a wide difference in 

 the time occupied in germination, varying from a few days or 

 weeks to twelve months or more, according to the species, and 

 to some extent the age of the seed. The necessity of keeping 

 the pots free from weeds will be obvious ; but as these, in 

 many cases, are very difficult to distinguish in a young state 

 from the seedlings it is desirable to raise, we must endeavour 

 to kill all seed that is in the soil before sowing very rare or 

 choice kinds, or those likely to lie dormant for a lengthened 

 period ; this may be done by baking, not burning, the mould. 

 The frame should have a thin shading all the time the sun is 

 upon it, and very little ventilation is required until the plants 

 are fairly above ground. It is best to have a second pit or 

 frame to remove the seedlings to as they come up, because they 

 will gradually need more air until they are finally planted out. 

 Thick sowing is to be deprecated for many reasons, but chiefly 

 because overcrowding gives number without constitution or 

 vigour. The course to be pursued after the seedlings have 

 attained a fair size will be determined by the season and the 

 rarity of the species in question. After weeks or months of 

 watching and nursing, it will be better to ensure success by 

 getting them established in pots before turning them out into 

 the open borders. A sharp look-out must be kept after mice, 

 slugs, wood-lice, and other destructive animals and insects. 



The management of plants in the beds and borders is so 

 simple that it appears superfluous to add anything to what we 

 have already said. The selection and disposition will vary 

 according to the taste and time of the cultivator, and the ex- 

 tent of his garden. Delicate subjects should be avoided where 

 there is little space and little time to devote to their cultiva- 

 tion. Dead leaves, flower-stems and weeds should be removed 

 as they appear. The surface should be slightly moved by 



