234 PLANT CtJLTURE 



Propagation. In order to prevent washing of the soil after 

 the seed is sown, use boxes, say 3 inches deep; put a shallow layer 

 of sphagnum in the bottom, make the soil firm, give a watering suffi- 

 cient to wet the soil through; then when the surface will admit of 

 the operation roughen it with the ends of the fingers. Sow the seed 

 thinly and smooth the surface with the end of a cigar box without 

 covering with soil. A pane of glass or a piece of damp cloth placed 

 over the box will prevent a too rapid evaporation of the moisture 

 till the seeds have germinated. They may be sown during the 

 first part of February. 



PHLOX. The annual sorts, P. Drummondi, of which there are 

 numerous varieties, should be sown by the middle of February. 

 The single whites and reds are most in demand. 



Propagation. In sowing cover the seeds with sphagnum 

 rubbed through a No. 4 sieve. In a moderate temperature they will 

 germinate inside of a week. After the seedlings are large enough 

 they should be pricked off into boxes from which they should be 

 transferred to pots later in the season. When put in pots during 

 the seedling stage they are apt to throw up flowering stems and 

 become hard before sufficient growth has been formed. For late 

 flowering plants a batch of seed may be sown beginning of May; 

 these will be of most service if white varieties are selected. 



PORTULACA (Rock Rose). In this genus we have P. 

 grandiflora, a very desirable annual flowering plant, and in another 

 species P. oleracea, one of the most bothersome weeds. P. grandi- 

 flora is a handsome plant in several colors for the rock garden, but 

 in any situation it is never out of place. 



Propagation. The seeds are very small, but the plantlets 

 soon gain size. They very often spring up from self-sown seed. 

 They delight in the hottest kind of weather. 



RESEDA (Mignonette). R. odorata is the common Mignonette, 

 one of the most fragrant plants grown. There are a number of im- 

 proved flowered varieties, but the larger ones are often not so sweet. 



Propagation and Culture. For early flowering, seed may be 

 sown during the first half of August. The method of sowing the 

 seed on the benches is the one there is the least difficulty with, and 

 that calling for the least amount of intelligent care, as a number of 

 seeds can be sown at each station where they are intended to flower, 

 and the strongest plants left. This sjstem is not always convenient, 

 however. Other methods consist of sowing in pots and planting 



