96 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



for their satisfactory growth. Divisions and home-raised seedlings must also have copious 

 supplies of water as needed. Mere driblets or daily surface sprinklings in dry weather 

 are worse than useless, as the constant evaporation following is injurious. "Warm 

 evenings are the best times for watering, and the best method is an imitation of 

 rainfall sufficient to pass down below the roots. Plants rooting in deep fissures or 

 pockets are the easiest to keep well supplied with moisture, and these grow the most 

 satisfactorily. Some few of the plants that thrive in old walls should be planted 

 according as the imitation of stratified rocks is constructed, but many more might be 

 had by simply sowing seeds on or about the crevices in March or April. 



When it is intended to raise a large number of rock plants from seed the start 

 should be made early in March. The requisite number of 6-inch pots, or one for each 

 variety, ought to be extra well drained, and firmly filled with a mixture of fine loam, 

 leaf soil and sand, making this perfectly level. Give a gentle watering, and in the 

 course of two or three hours sow the seeds as evenly as possible, pressing them in with 

 a circular piece of wood. Minute seeds only require to have the lightest of light 

 coverings of fine soil, and those of a coarser nature as much as will just cover them. 

 Carefully label each. A cold frame is the best position for the j)ots, making the base 

 worm -proof. Let the pots stand closely together and level on ashes or fine mortar 

 rubbish, cover with squares of glass, shade carefully and keep the soil uniformly moist. 



In the case of small seeds these are less likely to become dislodged if the soil is 

 moistened by immersing the pots to their rims in a pail of water till the moisture rises 

 upwards through the soil to the surface. Some of the species germinate more or 

 less quickly, while others may be from six months to twelve months before moving^ 

 consequently there ought to be no hasty decisions in the direction of turning out 

 the pots. When the seedlings are large enough, and in many instances this will 

 not be till the following spring, place one or three in each 3 -inch pot, using fine 

 soil similar to that in which they are raised. Stand them in a cold frame, if possible, till 

 they are well established, then plunge in ashes or sand enclosed by bricks at the shady 

 side of a wall or fence in the open air, and keep them well supplied with water. If no 

 frame can be spared, shelter and shade the newly -potted seedlings with mats. After one 

 year in small pots the plants ought to be large enough for planting in the rock-garden. 

 The commoner kinds may be raised in the open border, sowing the seed either directly 

 it is ripe or in March and April. The seedlings may be placed in small pots, pricked 

 out in boxes or in some instances transferred direct to the rockeries. 



