T 



to perform which, ample directions will be given 

 when I come to treat more largely, under the 

 head of cuttings, on that subject. 



There are some fruit, such as Nelumbium, 

 whose exterior coat is so very hard, that the 

 embryo plants are not able to burst through ; 

 at least with us ; to remedy which, the knife is 

 not unfrequently used to pare them thin, even 

 to making a hole in them, but not too near the 

 eye or part where they sprout, with good effect. 



If the business of seed-sowing is performed 

 in spring, or early in summer, which I would 

 prefer to later seasons, the smaller sorts may be 

 expected to vegetate in the course of five or six 

 weeks at farthest ; whereas, the larger boney 

 kinds will sometimes remain dormant in the 

 earth for the space perhaps of twelve months : 

 this must be attended to, else one might think 

 them beyond a chance of growing, and perhaps 

 throw them away without examination. When- 

 ever there is any doubt of their vegetating, let 

 some of them be taken up and opened with a 

 knife ; when they will at once discover whether 

 they are sound or not. If sound, they must be 

 still kept in a strong heat and regularly watered 

 as before : for want of this simple precaution, I 



