fl. d^r\T|ell & J^loral Gjiiitle 
f 
c/s.:nnell SONS’ 
SYSTEM OF GERMINATION OF SEEDS. 
t'KKTAIX, SIMPLE, AND THE COliEECT MODE OE EAI.SING PLANTS EEOM SEED. 
M'OETH TO THE AVOELD MANY THOUSANDS OF POUNDS. 
your .seeds in tlio usual way, only cover up and keep in total darkness until they bc^in t(- 
‘Jl® ‘"‘“‘I gradually e.xjwse them to the light. All this is so fe°asibl. 
that every sensible person will at once and for ever adopt it, and the success of all good seed 
will follow, .and become a lasting practice and benefit. For years past e.xccUent treatises havr 
been -written, practical men have adopted shading their seed-pans with paper, and others with a glass 
vessel of water, various coloured glass. See., all of which but slightly approacli this system, and why it 
has not become a general practice long since we are wholly at a loss to' say. The advantages and 
success of this system are so apparent that it only requhes to be once known to become universally 
adopted ; first, when a frame, pot, or pan is covered completely it ensures one uniform moisture anil 
temperature ; consequently, eveiy seed possessing the merest life will be sure to grow, and also save 
that continual watcliing— so necessary in the old stvlc— and . lessens to a minimum the anxiety of 
raising valuiible seed. 
HOW TO MANAGE ROOTED CUTTINGS AND SEEDLINGS. 
persons have the convenience and suflicient experience for nursing small plants, and 
EilM'3 seeing them grow, we strongly recommend their having them by post, as every care is 
taken to grow them in such a temperature, &c., that there is no risk about their doing well 
witli a small amount of ordinary care, of which every particular is given below. 
It must be remembered these are like young children ; they must be carefuUy looked after, fed. 
clotlicu, and titimed in the way they shoidd go, and a little common sense exercised to ascertain their 
remiirements, and to guard against enemies. And 'should they he forgotten, and get with others of- 
bad character, it is surprising how quickly they will partake of the same habits and diseases, and will 
soon die m sorrow and disgiace. A sweet-smelling hot-bed rather on the decline is preferable, with 
the heat at about 65 degrees. "When you receive a box of rooted cuttings, immerse them in water at 
tlie same tc*n^)erature from one to two hours. When they arc all refreshed, proceed to- pot them into 
60 s, using nice warm sandy soil. Sec that the roots are separated and naturally spread- out in the soil 
without injuring them, pressing the soil firmly. Place them in the frame, keep them shut close for a 
lew (lays, be careful of damp, and admit air as soon as they get established. Let them he sli^htlv 
dned each day, but (lo not allow tliem to flag from too much air or sun. And if a person possesses a 
.stove, or vines starting; or even a warm greenhouse, there is no more difticulty in getting them to 
grow under a hand-glass than those of their own striking or raising. ' 
SECRET FOR MAKING AND PLANTING CARPET AND OTHER BEDS. 
|B|^HE main thing in carrying out Carpet Bedding cHcctively is to decide on the design for 
-Jfip next year, prci>arc coleured drawing and plants accordingly, and when the time comes for 
planting, dig deeply and tread down moderately firm, take all levels and draw and staki- 
out just the design required, first make sure of the centre, avoid liollows, if the lines are to he 
straight they must he exact, if ciuved they must not have straight parts, neither must there be anv 
•sudden or shaiq) bends ; avoid alt these, or the whole beauty of the bed will be lost for the scasotl. 
A\ hen planting make sun; that the plants are as near one size as possible, for to a great extent the 
beauty of a bed depends on this regularity of arrangement. Be sure and provide sufficient plants that 
they may be planted thickly so as to give eifect at once, p.articularly in the case of Coleus and 
Altornantheras— in fact, when sparingly planted they invariablv prove a failure. As soon as the 
plants commence growing it will be necessary to clip or pinch all long stiaggling shoots awav ; after 
this comes the main thing— that is, every plant allowed to fill its allotted space and no more. The 
various lines must be kept well defined ; .should one plant be permitted to outgrow its neighbour, the 
w hole VI ill become confused, and all beauty gone ; therefore strict attention to trimming must now- 
become the whole and sole point of making— in fact, alt kinds of— bedding attractive. 
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