588 Cultivation of Plats. 
quickly germinate and grow with more vigour, and thus form 
stronger plants, and escape, to a certain extent, the ravages of 
birds and insects. Propagation by division—the means em- 
ployed to increase Arabis albida, London Pride, &e.—should 
be done in winter, whenever the weather is suitable. The 
principal hardy bulbous and rhizomatous perennials, such as 
Irises, Snowdrops, Croeuses, Tulips, Lent-Lilies, &c., also in- 
crcase rapidly in favourable soil; but this class of plants will 
be treated of separately, as many of them require exceptional 
conditions tu ensure their complete development. 
A few words respecting the raising and treatment of the 
more delicate species may be useful; but knowledge of the 
peculiar habits of different plants, and consequent difference in 
treatment, must be gained by actual experience; and obser- 
vation will soon supply the clue to proper treatment in most 
instances. Nearly all of the small-seeded plants, and those 
whose seeds usually lie dormant for a considerable period, as 
well as rare or small-growing species, require the shelter 
of a cold pit to raise them in, and afford them protection 
until they have attained sufficient strength to be transferred 
to the open ground, Ordinary frames placed where they will 
obtain abundance of hght will answer all purposes very well. 
They should be shallow, and have a depth of about six to nine 
inches of coal-ashes, sand or tan, or other material in the bottom, 
for plunging the pots in, and thus ensuring effective drainage, 
so as to prevent the accumulation of water. Coal-ashes are as 
good as anything for this purpose, as they move freely and are 
unfavourable to worms, one of the worst scourges in seed-pots. 
The pots or pans used should have a good layer of sherds in 
the bottom to ensure perfect drainage, or the soil may soon 
become sour. For general purposes a compost of free loam, 
thoroughly rotted leaf-mould, or dung from an old hot-bed, 
and sufficient sharp sand to keep it from binding, will be found 
suitable. About one-fourth of leaf-mould or rotten stable 
dung will be ample, and if the loam be rich, a smaller propor- 
tion would suffice. Seeds should be covered with soil accord- 
ing to their size; a layer about their respective thicknesses 
may be observed as a general rule. Very minute seeds should 
not be covered at all, merely sown on the surface of the 
moistened soil, with perhaps a slight sprinkling of sand. A 
little extra sand on the surface may be recommended for all 
seed-pots, as it prevents the soil from forming a crust. A 
