CHAPTER VI 
PROPAGATING HARDY PLANTS 
I. By Seed 
HERE we have a subject that opens up a wide 
field for study and experiment, and one 
that is of fascinating interest, for every plant-lover 
must find much gratification in producing young 
plants, whether it be by raising them from, purchased 
seeds or by the various methods of propagating 
from stock plants. 
The natural method by which plants reproduce 
themselves is, of course, from seed, and we may 
very well deal first with seed sowing. A large 
proportion of the seeds of Hardy Perennials may 
be quite successfuly germinated and grown in the 
open ground. 
The first essential is a fairly sheltered position 
not too fully exposed to the full heat of the sun, 
but certainly not in the shade and drip of over- 
hanging trees. 
A seed bed should be well and deeply dug, but 
not heavily manured, and the surface soil must 
be brought to a fine tilth. A light, friable soil is 
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