Flower 
Seeds. 
Directions 
Culture, Treatment, Etc. 
CE!SITAt!REA ODORATA. 
-Sow in April or May, according to the lati- 
tude, in shallow boxes or pots placed in a warm window, a hotbed, or, if 
possible, in a gi-eenhouse. A second sowing ought to be made from two to 
four weeks after, for a succession, as well as to provide against failure the 
first time. For sowing seeds in, there is nothing better than shallow boxes 
from 2 to 3 inches deep and of any convenient size. The most suitable soil 
in which to sow seeds of all the smaller kinds is a very fine, rich, sandy 
loam ; if some fine charcoal can be mixed with it, it will bo beneficial. The 
soil from old hotbeds is excellent, or sods from an old pasture, piled up and 
allowed to rot for two or three years, and then mixed with a little old 
st.able-raamn-e and sand. The selection of a proper soil in which to sow fine 
seeds is very important, as upon this depends the success or failure of 
them. After the seeds are up, care must be taken to give them plenty of 
air and moisture, and yet not too much water, or they will "damp-off." When the young plants are well out 
of the seedleaf, they must be transplanted to new boxes. If pots 2 inches or more in diameter can be had, 
.set out from three to a dozen or more of the young seedlings along the edges of the pot, so that as soon as 
the ground is warm enough they may be easily turned out and planted singly, as by that time they will have 
made good roots. When the pots cannot be had, boxes, tin cans, etc., may be substituted ; or a cheap and 
effective plan is to take out the inside of a potato or turnip, leaving a shell half an inch thick. After filling 
these with the compo.st above referred to, set out the seedlings in them, and place the whole in hoses, filling 
in the spaces between the potatoes or turnips with soil. When the plants are ready to set in the open 
ground, it is an easy matter to transplant them, and as the decay of the turnips or potatoes affords nourish- 
ment to the young plants, a double purpose is served in using them. Treated in this way, the seedlings 
receive no check in growth, and require none of the extra care in watering or shading necessary with other 
methods. 
A common mistake in sowing flower, as well as other seeds, is covering too deep. As a general rule, 
cover only to the depth of the thickness of the seeds, or with medium-sized seeds, like Balsams, Zinnias, etc., 
half an inch or so is none too much. Such fine seeds as Portulacas need only to be pressed into the soil 
with a piece of board or the palm of the hand. Always press the earth down firmly after sowing all flower 
seeds, else there is danger of their drying up before the roots can get firm hold of the soil. Seeds of the 
hardier Annuals may he sown where they are to grow ; but as a rule it is preferable to transplant, as the 
plants are generally stronger and stand the drought better. During very dry weather, and when the seed- 
lings are first set out, they should ho watered frequently. Provide some support for all such Annuals as 
require it, else the plants become weak and straggling, and do not make the show they otherwise would. 
