Seed Germi- 
nation 
Many seeds are slow in germinating and it is often a good plan 
to sprout them before sowing, one method is given as follows: 
Pour the seeds on the end of a piece of common burlap, fold from 
both sides and roll up. Then in a pan containing half a pint of warm, 
not hot water, drop three drops of spirits of camphor. Place the roll 
in this twenty minutes, press out lightly so there will be no dripping, 
wrap in four thicknesses of old newspaper, and place where the tem- 
perature is regular and about 75 degrees. 
Examine daily and if dry, wet with luke-warm water. As soon as 
the germ shows, plant at once. 
An old Gardener says that this method will produce seedlings 
of especially good vigor. It might be interesting to try it. 
Mrs. Frederic Towle 
"Damping Off" is largely caused by careless watering and im- 
proper ventilation. 
More About ^^ seeds are planted in flats they should be gently sprayed with a 
•'Damping fine syringe, never allowing them to get really dried out, and being 
Off" sure to have the soil moist when seeds are first planted. If the flat 
is shaded, until germination takes place, no trouble should follow. 
If seeds are planted in pots, the best way to water is by standing 
the pot in a pail of water, to within an inch of its top, until the soil 
has absorbed sufficient moisture. Never water seedling with a water- 
ing-pot or hose. 
As to fresh air, every day the weather will permit, the sash should 
be opened slightly and allow the dampness to be absorbed by the sun 
and air. 
Mrs. Benjamin Warren Romayne Warren 
Crosse Pointe Shores, Michigan 
Special 
Plant 
Societies 
American Carnation Society 
A.F.J. Bauer, Sec'y, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Chrysanthemum Society of America 
C. W. Johnson, Sec'y, 2242 W. logih St., 
Chicago, III. 
American Dahlia Society 
E. C. Vick, Sec'y, igo Nassau St., 
New York Ctty 
National Dahlia Society 
R. W. Gill, Sec'y, Portland, Oregon 
California Dahlia Soctety 
N. F. Vanderbilt, Sec'y, 725 Fifth St., 
San Rafael, Cal. 
Southern Dahlia Soctety 
W. E. Clajiin, Sec'y, College Park, Md. 
American Gladiolus Society 
A. C. Beat, Sec'y, Ithaca, N. Y. 
American Iris Society 
R. S. Sturlevant, Sec'y 
Wellesley Farms, Mass. 
American Peony Society 
A. P. Saunders, Sec'y, Clinton, N. Y. 
American Rose Society 
Prof. E. A . White, Sec'y, Cornell University, 
Ithaca, N. Y. 
American Sweet Pea Society 
William Gray, Sec'y, Bellevue Rd., 
Newport, R. I. 
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