58 T/ie Vitality of Seeds 



birds and mice. Avoid thick sowing-; it is often ruin- 

 ous. On a shilling- piece you may place a few hun- 

 dreds of seeds. Do not sow them all in a four-inch 

 diameter pot. A cold frame or greenhouse is the best 

 place for the seed pots. In the case of the first named, 

 the seed pots should be stood on slates or tiles, unless 

 a perfect ash bottom exists to prevent the ingress of 

 worms. 



Things that Matter.— In this connection the vitality 

 of the seeds is important. For example, the blue 

 " Wood Anemones," A. Robinsoniana and others akin, 

 with A. blanda and A. blanda scythinica, quickly lose 

 vitality, and should be sown as soon as ripe. To keep 

 them a few weeks or months entails not only a loss of 

 time, but frequently a reduced crop. Cyclamen seeds 

 may be kept for years, and then give a return to almost 

 cent, per cent. But where is the gain, seeing that the 

 s«eds which fall from the capsules to the soil in early 

 summer will yield clusters of seedlings a few weeks 

 later without a thought or care ? In a moist season or 

 in much shade they will even vegetate within the half- 

 open capsules, and the fact should be kept in mind. 

 Saxifrages of all sections — " kabsc^ias " and " mossies " 

 particularly — soon lose vitality, and should be sown 

 within a few weeks from harvesting. Even so the 

 "mossies " may germinate in a couple of months or so, 

 those of the other set taking eight months or even 

 longer. 



" Sow as soon as Gathered" is the best advice that 

 can be given for the seeds of Gentians, Androsace, 

 Ramondias, and Haberleas, whose grains are among 

 the more minute, though this does not of necessity 

 imply early loss of vitality. By following the advice 

 given, however, a maximum crop of seedlings is 

 usually assured. A like -remark applies to the choicer 

 Campanulas. The alpine Dianthi may be kept long 

 with impunity should occasion arise, a fact which will 

 enable the amateur to first deal with other and more 

 pressing kinds. Seeds of all Primulas are best if sown 



