GAEDENING FOE LITTLE GIELS 



haven't the patience to wait for them to flower from 

 seed, and instead try to get some roots from their 

 more fortunate friends, or buy from a florist. But 

 I will tell you more about this class in connection 

 with the bulb and tuber families. 



THE SEED BED 



While a small number of these beauties will 

 bloom the first year if started early in the spring, 

 most of them make their debut in garden society 

 the second summer. Before that they have to be 

 watched, or they might meet with accident. A good 

 way, therefore, is to have a little bed (preferaMy a 

 cold frame) for a seed nursery off to one side, in 

 a safe place, where the baby plants can be cared 

 for, protected from cold, and tended like the in- 

 fants they are, until grov/n up and old enough to 

 enter the society of bed or border. In such a place 

 the seeds should be planted in fine, rich soil, pref- 

 erably from the middle of May to the 1st of July, 

 and all carefully marked. Sow thinly, and then 

 cover the seed by sifting over with fine soil from 

 Vs Vi i^ch deep. Sprinkle very lightly by means 

 of a whisk broom dipped in water, so as not to 

 wash out the seed, and if you possibly can, cover 

 with a piece of glass. Keep in the shade at first, 



38 



