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Germinate the seeds in boxes in a coldframe. Transplant into rows when 
they have four leaves 
necessary, yet considering the better returns 
I think the extra labor is well repaid. Most 
perennials can be sown in spring with good 
results, and they will flower the second 
season, but this means a year’s loss of time 
as the plants must be set out in permanent 
quarters during the summer; and again a 
Never let the boxes get dry. Also shade them from 
direct sun 
deal of work comes while the spring rush 
is on. 
Seed may be sown any time from the 
middle of August up to the first week in 
October, in boxes, not in the open ground. 
These boxes or flats are then placed in a 
frame, and the frame covered with sash 
(which should be whitewashed to exclude 
the sun). Better still is sash made from 
cheesecloth which is very inexpensive and 
gives better shade, quite enough light 
penetrating the cheesecloth for the young 
seedlings. If shaded glass sash are used the 
sash must be removed after the seeds have 
germinated, or the young seedlings will 
become considerably “drawn.” 
THE ART OF SEED-SOWING 
It is much easier to sow the seeds properly 
than any other way. There are a few 
general rules however, that must be observed. 
Use only boxes or pots that have holes or 
open spaces in the bottom to allow the 
superfluous water to escape (except when 
THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 
OcroserR, 1908 
Transplant into rows six inches apart. Seedlings will remain here all winter 
ready for the second shift in the spring 
sowing aquatics). Cover the bottom of the 
box with about 14 inches of broken pots, 
stones, oyster shells, or anything through 
which water will run easily. Cover this 
with a fine layer of sphagnum moss, cocoanut 
fibre or anything of a like nature which will 
allow water to pass through but which will 
exclude dirt (this prevents the soil from 
washing down and filling up the drainage). 
Now fill the box with soil which preferably 
contains no manure; if there be manure 
pick out the lumps and place them in the 
bottom of the box. 
Fill the box or pot loosely, even with the 
sides and with the fingers bent at night 
angles and just using the two upper joints, 
press the soil until it is firm but not packed. 
Smooth over the whole surface and then 
sift on fine soil, about } inch deep, for the 
seed to rest in. Make sure that the box 
is perfectly level, and firm with a seed board, 
as shown in the illustrations. 
Always sow the seeds from the packet in 
place of using the fingers. It may take a 
little time to become adept at this but it is 
by far the best method and you should 
acquire the knack. 
After sowing the seeds press over them 
gently with the seed board and they will be 
ready for covering. This is the most impor- 
You can have a garden like this next summer from 
seed sown now 
tant item in seed sowing. Seed should be coy- 
ered about twice their thickness, not more; 
and to insure even germination must be cov- 
ered evenly. The best way to do this is to 
make a sieve of some mosquito netting, hold 
the sieve about six inches above the seeds, 
and taking a handful of soil rub it through 
the sieve, starting at one end of the box and 
working along gradually until the entire 
surface is covered. When finished gently 
For cut flowers let some plants remain in the 
frames and they will flower earlier than the trans— 
planted ones 
press again with seed board, label the box, 
and water immediately with a sprinkling 
pot, having a fine rose. If you have only 
a few seeds of different kinds not sufficient 
for a box alone, several may be put in one 
box, separating the different varieties with 
pieces of bamboo stick pressed down into 
the soil firmly but gently, so as not to inter- 
fere with the seeds themselves. 
CARE IN WATERING 
Do not let the boxes get dry, but water 
with a fine rose on the sprinkling can; and 
as the evaporation of moisture is very rapid 
at this season of the year, look over them 
carefully every morning and evening, and 
dampen the ground around the boxes even 
though the boxes themselves are not dry. 
This will keep the atmosphere moist, and 
seeds germinate more quickly under such 
conditions. , 
FIRST TRANSPLANTING 
After the seedlings have three or four 
leaves they will require transplanting. This 
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