78 TBEE CULTUIIE IN BOUTU AUisxiiAiJuv. 



and the tubes tten taken one by one and packed tightly together as 

 shown in Fig. 67. This should be followed throughout until the bed 

 is full ; then afterwards (with a levelling tool, as sho-\7n in Fig. 69) the 

 tops of the tubes should be gently pressed down until a level surface is 

 obtained. 



Fine sharp forest-mould, having been previously kept perfectly dry, 

 should now be filled into the bamboos in the following way : — With 

 a sieve a man gently riddles the soil over the top of the tubes, while 

 another man, with a strong piece of wood (Fig. 68) beats their tops 

 until the soil is all shaken down into them. Great care must always be 

 taken to see that the tubes are perfectly full of soil, otherwise bad results 

 are sure to follow. 



The very best of seed having been procured, this should now be sown, 

 by putting two or three seeds in each tube ; afterwards, soil of the 

 description already given should be riddled equally over the whole of 

 the bed to a depth of somewhat less than half an inch and until the tops of 

 the tubes are completely covered. 



Immediately after the sowing of the seed is completed, the whole of 

 the bed should, receive a good watering applied gently with a very fine 

 hose. This watering should be repeated at least once a day (in the 

 evening). 



The bed should now be protected during the day time by shades con- 

 structed of bamboos or palings, as may be found most convenient, and 

 erected some 6ft. from the ground on posts placed 8ft. apart along the 

 edges of the beds. 



In rainy weather remove the shadings, as these will cause a " drip" 

 which will lift the soil and seeds out of the tubes. Indeed, until the 

 seeds have germinated and the plants are secure in theii- tubes, care 

 must be taken to see that the rain itself when heavy does not touch the 

 beds, as the same result will follow. During heavy rains, a tarpaulin or 

 piece of calico can be stretched over the beds for their protection. 



After the seeds have germinated, they should be carefully looked to, 

 by watering in the evening and shading during dry and hot weather. In 

 cool weather, however, all shades may be removed T\ith advantage. 



When the plants have reached a height of half an inch or so (which 

 should be regulated to take place about March or April) the process 

 of sorting, thinning, checkuig, and hardening the plants will now take 

 place. This consists in taking out the tubes with the hands, removing all 

 superfluous seedlings, leaving one strong plant only in each tube, and after- 

 wards packing them away close together in another concrete bed, but on 

 a higher and drier site if possible. The plants wiU now grow 

 slowly, and will thus become fine handy subjects for exposed planting by 

 the month of July or August. 



