56 



GAKDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



roots, suckers, cuttings, runners, layers, &c. Propagation 

 by seed often produces new varieties Avliicli are only to be 

 perpetuated by division of their roots, cuttings, layers, or 

 budding and grafting upon stocks. 



Propagation by Seed. — The most healthy and vigor- 

 ous plants are generally produced by seed, and this is the 

 only method of obtaining new varieties. Great care should 

 be used in the selection of seed, as on their perfection the 

 growth of the young plant very much depends. They 

 should be sound and well ripengd that they may germinate 

 freely. Some seeds lose their vitality very soon after 

 being gathered, others retain it but one or two seasons, 

 and are better if sown as fresh as possible, while melon 

 ,sced grows better by keeping. The soundness of seed 

 may be tested by putting them into warm water ; nearly 

 all sound seeds will sink in this fluid in a short time. They 

 can also be proved by planting a fcAV in a pot and keep- 

 ing it in a warm room, or plunged in a hot bed, and a few 

 days will test the soundness of the seed. The causes of 

 unsoundness in seed are blight, unripeness, mouldiness 

 and age. 



Seed should not only be sound but of the right kind as 

 it is very vexatious to sow early Yorks when you think 

 your are sowing drumheads and vice versa. The way to 

 avoid such mistakes is either to raise your own seed, or to 

 know of whom you buy. Your own eye in the case of 

 many seeds Avill not assist you at all in discriminating. 



Seed must not only be of the right sort, but true to that 

 sort. Early York cabbage seed may be sown, or Scarlet 

 radish seed, yet from having been planted near to some 

 other varieties, the seed is crossed with them and the most 

 valuable qualities of the variety lost. The cabbage may 

 be late or long-legged and not head at all, or the radish 



