143 PBOPAGATION OF PIANOB. 



lowing year, althougli all may be treated exactly alike. 

 The same variations occur among many different kinds 

 of seeds, some germinating readily when freshly gath- 

 ered, others requiring a season of rest, or time to become 

 fully mature. It is well known that there are periods of 

 great activity and rest in the vegetation of all countries 

 and climates, and these have their influence upon the 

 seeds, their vital energies becoming excited with the 

 return of the season of growth, and at such times they 

 will germinate far more readily than at any other, al- 

 though artificial surrounding conditions may appear to 

 be the same during the period of growth and when they 

 are at rest. 



To hasten the germination of seeds, gardeners have 

 recourse to various expedients. Steeping in difEerent 

 solutions is often practised with old seeds, in order to 

 soften the outer covering and admit moisture to the in- 

 terior and germ. Seeds with hard, horn-like integuments, 

 like those of the Three- thorned Acacia {GledUschia tria- 

 canthos), and Kentucky Coffee tree {Oymnocladus Cana- 

 densis), may usually be forced to germinate by steeping 

 a few days in warm water, or hot water may be poured 

 over them and allowed to cool to a temperature of about 

 100 degrees, and kept at this point until the seeds show 

 signs of growth. Seeds incrusted wit'' resin, as is usual 

 with the Junipers, or wax, as in tne Bayberry (Myrica), 

 are benefited by steeping in a solution of potash, or they 

 may be mixed with moist wood-ashes, and kept in this 

 condition until the incrustation is removed and the bony 

 nuts are somewhat softened. Potash solutions are to be 

 recommended as a steep for all similar seeds, especially 

 if they have been allowed to become dry and hard, or 

 when it is desired to force their gennination in advance 

 of their natural season of growth. Lime is also used for 

 similar purposes, and a few years ago it was highly rec- 

 emmended by several European horticulturists for hasteo' 



