AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



27 



Methods of Sowing Seed. 



The period that chapses between the sowing and 

 germination of the seeds \aries considerabh'. Sometimes 

 indications of the vitahty of the seed ma\' be observed 

 in trom seven to ten days. In other cases we have 

 known the seed to come up after having been sown two 

 }-ears ; cases also frequently occur in which the first 

 batch of the seed has germinated quickly, while other 

 batches sown at the same time, even on the same 

 receptacle, will continue to make their appearance for 

 two or three \-ears afterwards. The treatment of the 

 seed from the time of sowing up to the rooting period 

 of the plants that have germinated therefrom is an opera- 

 tion that requires considerable care and judgment. The 

 principal item, of course, is the ^\■atering. To dip the tiny 

 dust-like germs of seed when in a dry state would result 

 in floating the seeds from off the surface of the material 

 on which the\- had been sown. To water carelessly, 



Fig. 



Orchid Sf.edi.i.ng.s at .Six ]N[onth,s. 



even from the finest rose on the water-can, quickly dis- 

 places the growing seedlings, and they are thus washed 

 over the sides of the pots and are lost. It is therefore 



