56 THE BOOK OF THE GREENHOUSE 



skill one may use in growing the latter will never result 

 in good plants. Go always to a reliable seedsman, whether 

 he be in a large or a small way of business. 



Balsams. — Sow seeds thinly about the end of March in 

 pans of rich loamy soil mixed with decayed manure and 

 sand. Water in, cover with a sheet of glass and put in a 

 temperature of 6o°. As soon as the seedlings germinate, 

 raise the seed pan close to the roof glass in a position 

 where they will get plenty of fresh air. If left in a 

 close atmosphere and at a distance from the light the 

 seedlings become " drawn " and useless. Pot off singly, 

 always in rich soil, when they are about two inches high, 

 using small pots and sinking the plants low, so that 

 the cotyledons or seed leaves touch the soil ; and continue 

 repotting, each time before the roots get matted, until 

 reaching the flowering pots, which should not be less 

 than eight inches in diameter and, for really fine plants, 

 should be bigger. Always keep well up to the light 

 and every few days turn the pots round, so that each 

 side of the plant shall be well balanced. The plants will 

 eventually branch out all round, and when these branches 

 are long enough they should be gently drawn down and 

 tied in position to form a bushy bottom. No crowding 

 must be allowed. When the first flower buds show, 

 they should be picked off from the lower parts of the 

 plant, allowing none to develop until the plant is well 

 formed ; then discontinue this disbudding and commence 

 to feed with weak manure water, which should always be 

 used in a clear state, never thick, for all plants ; continu- 

 ing this feeding as long as the plants are worth keeping. 

 The rather high temperature recommended for seedlings 

 should be gradually reduced as the outside temperature 

 gets warmer, until the ordinary greenhouse conditions 

 are reached. Well grown Balsams are very handsome 

 plants and last long in flower. 



Calceolarias. — The seeds of the herbaceous Calceolaria 



