RAISING PLANTS FROM SEED— RIGHT AND WRONG METHODS. U$ 



Alonsoa Warscewiczi. — The compact form of this 

 species heds out admirably, succeeding well in 

 sunny positions, where the plants produce their 

 spikes of orange scarlet Chorozema-like flowers 

 abundantly throughout the summer. Height : 

 1 foot. Arrange in masses. Raise the seedlings 

 and treat the plants much as advised in the case 

 of ageratums. 



Fig. 107. Raising. Antirrhinums. 



a, too thick sowing, and b, spindled plant ; c, thin 

 sowing, and d, sturdy plant ; e, the result of a and b ; 

 /, the result of c and d. N.B. — These lessons from 

 experience apply to raising various other plants from 

 seed. 



Antirrhinums. — Antirrhinums are attractive in mixed 

 borders, utdising the Tom Thumb section for the 

 front rows. The white, crimson and yellow 

 bedding varieties alluded to on page 20(3 will, if 

 the seed is saved from plants grown in masses of 

 each, widely distant from other antirrhinums, 

 come true to name. Hundreds of plants can be 

 obtained from a small packet of seed. Sow as 

 soon as ripe in the autumn, keeping the seedlings 

 on a cool greenhouse shelf, or in a pit in the pans 

 in which they were raised till the spring, or seeds 

 may be sown in February, treating first the seed 

 pans and then the plants similarly to ageratums. 

 Harden and plant out early. 



Asters. — These are principally flowered in mixed 

 borders, but are also showy in beds, and can, if 

 desired, be cleared off in time for early-flowering 

 chrysanthemums to succeed them. Bedding 

 asters can be had in separate colours — crimson, 

 delicate rose, rosy carmine, dark blue, light blue, 

 and pure white ; they grow to a height of 10 to 

 12 inches, branch freely, and flower grandly in 

 August. Other varieties of branching habit, 

 described in catalogues, are suitable for massing 

 in beds. Unless early flowers arc particularly 

 desired, avoid sowing the seed before the first 

 or second week in April. Sow in either boxes, 

 pans, or beds of rich light soil, previously 

 moistened, covering lightly with sod, and this 

 with thick paper. Gentle heat is favourable to 

 germination. Keep the soil uniformly moist, 

 and protect from mice. Directly the seedlings 

 appear, expose them to more light and air. There 

 must be no undue delay in pricking them out 

 3 to 4 inches apart in boxes or beds of rich light 

 soil, sinking the plants up to the seeddeaves, but 

 not burying the hearts. Keep them somewhat 

 close and warm tdl well established ; then give 

 air freely, hardening and planting out in a 

 moderately rich soil about the third week in May. 

 The stronger growers may be arranged 9 inches 

 apart, and the dwarf varieties 6 inches, moving all 

 with sod adhering to the roots, and keeping them 

 properly supplied with water. Fine plants can 

 be had for late flowering by sowing seeds in free 

 sod in a sheltered position in the open ground at 

 the end of April or beginning of May. 



Balsams. — The best double-flowering forms of 

 balsam are capable of making a good display in 

 gardens if very stout plants are put out after the 

 middle of June. For this purpose sow the seeds 

 an inch or two apart in boxes early in May, and 

 raise the plants in a frame, keeping them close to 

 the glass. When 2 to 3 inches high, transfer 

 to 4-inch pots, using rich soil and sinking the 

 stems down to the seed leaves. Keep them in 

 frames till late in May. Gradually harden, and 

 plant during warm weather in June. 



Begonias. — Tuberous begonias for flower beds are 

 principally raised from seed, and the B. semper- 

 florens family, described on p. 206, can also be 

 raised in a similar way. Seed may be sown in 

 August in pots or boxes of fine soil kept uniformly 

 moist and shaded in a frame. The seedlings, if 

 left undisturbed in the pans or boxes till early in 

 the spring, will be well ahead of any raised from 

 seed sown in January or February. The months 



