How to Sow Flower Seeds. 

interest attaclied to the niising of plants from seeds, whetlier of old-established 
favorites or others of a more recent introduction, is well known to all who have 
attemj^ted it; therefore, the following practical directions cannot fail to prove of value to 
amateur cultivators : 
Take boxes from three to five inches deep, filled to within half an inch of their tops 
with a light, sandy soil, sifted line; sprinkle the seeds on top and cov^er lightly, according 
to the kind, the coarser the seed, the more soil being required. Then press tlie soil 
lightly with a Hat piece of wood or a trowel; water witli a sprinlvler j)r witli a very fine 
spray. Place your boxes in a liglit sunny place, covering them witli a piece of glass, or 
if too early in Spring place tliem in. the house in front of the window where the sun's 
rays can reach thcni. A¥hen the tiny little plants have as many as four or live leaves, 
transplant them into larger boxes or pots, containing a somewliat richer soil, two inches 
apart each way. When the weather becomes warm and you are prepared to arrange your 
garden, transplant to places Avhere you want them to grow and bloom. These directions 
refer principally to small seeds, but may be foUoAved Avith all kinds, as they point out the 
surest way to raise plants from the seeds. 
All hardy Annuals and some Perennials Avill succeed well if sown in the open air, 
about the end of April or the beginning of May ; in this case one more important point 
must be observed, that of "thinning out" the plants in tlieir earlier stages — for if the 
young plants are allowed to remain in a crowded state they will soon spoil each other, and 
therefore must be tliinned out. This should be done cautiously, at first, only enough to 
give the remainder a clear space, and again, when two or three inches high ; the number 
of plants finally left must depend on tlie size and habit of the species; if large and spread- 
ing, single plants are best, otherwise two or three may remain an equal distance apart; if 
small and spreading or trailing, two or three more may be left, but they should be six 
inches apart. 
In transplanting, care must be taken : lift the plants carefully, l)y the use of a garden 
trowel, retaining as much soil to the roots as possible. This should \)o done in wet or 
cloudy weather, and if the grouiul is dry, a good soaking with watei' before and after 
planting is advisable. 
Hints Regarding Watering Plants and Bulbs. 
During diy weather it is necessary frequently to Avater Lawn and Garden plots. The 
water iTsed for such pui'posc should never be colder than the atmos})liere. Young plants and 
bulbs Avlien chilled Avith cold vxttev generally droop and die from the shock. 
A good plan is to keep a cask in your garden, filled Avith Avater, so that the water may be 
Avarmed l)y the sun oi' add sullicient warm Avater to tlie Avell or hydrant water so as to make it 
the same temperature as the atmosphere. 
