310 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 12, 1895. 
ON SOWING VEGETABLE SEEDS. 
Although just at present there is but little of this 
sort of work requiring attention, we are reminded by 
the incoming of another year, and by the rapid 
strides which time is ever making, that the busy 
time for seed sowing is rapidly approaching. Seeds 
in stock and seed lists have to be looked over, and 
the kinds and quantities likely to be required 
determined upon. A consideration of the first 
importance is to secure seeds of the best quality 
with respect to germinating power and select strain, 
which happily any respectable seedsman may be 
depended upon to supply pure and good. No one 
can justly arrogate to themselves the honour of 
supplying all articles better than their rivals. Many 
of them, it is true, have specialities and novelties 
with which to tempt the public, but after once being 
distributed they become in the second season 
common to all. 
Having obtained the seeds the next thing, and an 
all important one, is a favourable seed time. This 
can generally be had by waiting and watching, and 
having everything in readiness, so that advantage 
can be taken of favourable circumstances when they 
occur. It is far better to wait till the last moment 
for these than to put seed into the ground when it 
is in an unfit state to receive it. In some instances 
when having to deal with heavy cold soils which 
are difficult to work, further delay being undesirable, 
a crop may often be got in with the aid of light 
boards laid on the ground to prevent it being worked 
into a quagmire with the feet. This of course means 
more time and labour, but it will often insure 
success in place of failure in such cases, for nothing 
renders soil of this character more unfit for either 
sowing or planting on than trampling upon it in wet 
weather. 
Generally speaking, it is better to sow vegetable 
seeds in drills, as this system gives better facilities 
for cleaning and hoeing, but whether sown broadcast 
or in drills, ample space should be afforded for these 
necessary operations, and not only the question of 
cleanliness but the well-being of crops of whatever 
kind is largely influenced by the amount of breathing 
space afforded them in the early stages of growth. 
Too thick and over thin sowing have both their dis¬ 
advantages, and the nature of the soil intended for 
the reception of the seed should regulate in some 
measure the quantity of seed sown. On light, warm 
soils, where in favourable seasons scarcely a seed 
will fail to germinate, it may be sown very much 
more sparingly than on heavy cold ones, which, 
besides being more unkindly to the young plants, 
often in unfavourable seasons abound in slugs, 
snails, and other insect pests. 
Too thin sowing on any soil presents the dis¬ 
advantage of offering little or no choice being made 
when thinning-out time comes, for, from whatever 
source the seeds may be procured, it will invariably 
happen that some of the plants will from the com¬ 
mencement be stronger and more promising than the 
rest. For this reason it is desirable that a sufficiency 
of seeds be sown to allow of liberal thinnings out 
being made. By this practice, " when finally set 
out” as the market men say, the land or quarter 
devoted to any particular vegetable will contain 
selected plants only. The depth at which seed 
should be buried ought to bear some relative 
proportion to its size. Very many err in the direction 
of sowing small seeds too deeply, It may often be 
observed where the drills have been drawn too 
deeply that stray seeds blown by the wind during 
the process of sowing, germinate freely, whilst the 
others, from the adverse conditions under which 
they have been placed, are tardy in making a show 
above ground, and often fail entirely in their 
attempts to break through the thick crust of earth 
under which they lay and ultimately rot. 
One of the best uses to which wood ashes, and burnt 
earth can be put, is the covering in of small seeds 
sown in drills. It is the very best material obtain¬ 
able for the purpose, seeds germinating in it readily, 
and being free from weed seeds, it reduces the labour 
of keeping the crop clean. Besides it marks out 
most clearly the drills in which the seeds lay, and 
should weeds put in an appearance, (which they 
generally do) before the crop is sown, they may be 
hoed down without risk to the crop. The nature 
of the soil should be taken into account when draw¬ 
ing the drills. On light warm ground it will often 
prove advantageous to sow a little deeper than usual 
in dry seasons ; but it is seldom a wise practice on 
heavy soil. Large seeds for the early crops may be 
covered from one and a half, to two inches deep, and 
the later ones somewhat deeper. The germination 
of Peas and Beans is often hastened by soaking them 
in water for twenty-four hours. When this is done 
during dry weather the drills should also be watered 
beforehand. This is a good practice, whether the 
seeds are all soaked beforehand or no. 
The ground on which seed is sown should in all 
cases be made moderately firm, especially for 
Onions and Turnips. In most instances in private 
gardens treading is resorted to. It will often be 
found best to give one treading over, and then to 
pass an iron roller over it in contrary directions. 
Soils differ very much, and what can be done with 
the greatest facility in some gardens, cannot be 
accomplished by the same methods in others. There 
is no absolutely necessity to render the ground firm 
immediately the seed is sown, providing it is done 
before they germinate. A week to ten days may 
elapse, and it will be rare that the ground if not in 
a suitable condition for either treading or rolling 
when the seed is sown, is not so within that time. 
The gardener has many enemies, seen and unseen, 
to contend with ; the birds seem to know that he is 
depositing in the ground rich stores of food, and 
unless some check is placed upon them they will 
speedily appropriate to their own uses that which he 
intends shall be for his own benefit. Then, again, 
there are the mice! Both these foes may be foiled 
by the use of red lead. The best method we ever 
tried in using this was to place the seed in a pan and 
put a few drops of glycerine on it. A very little of 
this goes a long way, in moistening the seed it may 
be distributed over, care being taken either to stir or 
shake them repeatedly. Its advantages over any oil 
are that it is perfectly safe to use, the red lead sticks 
better to it, a much thicker coating of it being 
obtainable with its use than by the employment of 
oil of any kind or water.— W. B. G. 
--**- 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
By John Fraser, F.L.S., Kew. 
Cypripedium insigne Baroness Sarah De 
Worms. Nov. var .—Every Orchid grower is now 
well acquainted with the fact that the purple 
blotches on the top of the upper sepal, is the charac¬ 
teristic feature of C. i. Maulei. It will open up a 
new line of variation when the brown colour washed 
out of the rest of the sepal, gives rise to purple 
blotches all the way to the base. The variety under 
notice shows a tendency in this direction. The 
upper sepal is roundly elliptic, and apple-green on 
the lower portion, marked with numerous, brownish 
purple blotches; the apical portion is pure white 
with a group of large purple blotches, and the 
margin is equally pure with a few purple blotches on 
either side of it, similar to those at the apex. The 
lateral sepals are bifid (at least in the case of both 
blooms on a plant now flowering in the nursery of 
Mr. P. McArthur, 4, Maida Vale, W.) and they are 
greenish-white with brownish-purple spots over the 
greater portion of the surface. The petals are 
yellow, slightly suffused and netted with brown, and 
marked with purple spots on the lower half. The 
lip is yellow, lightly suffused and netted with brown 
veins : and the lateral lobes are pubescent on both 
surfaces. 
Oncidium tigrinum splendidum. —Of the two 
varieties of O. tigrinum that under notice is the 
finer, and although it does not attain the same 
height, the flower stems are sturdier and the flowers 
more conspicuous. The scapes are erect and bear 
their flowers in slightly branching racemes. The 
spreading and oblong wavy sepals and petals are 
reflexed at the tips, and although the ground colour 
is yellow they are nearly covered with brown 
blotches and transverse bars. The most conspicuous 
feature of the flowers, however, is the massive look¬ 
ing lip, which is transversely oblong and clear bright 
yellow, with exception of a large, purple, eye-like 
spot on each of the lateral lobes, and which contrast 
strangely with the brown markings of the sepals and 
petals. The variety was originally imported from 
Guatemala between forty and fifty years ago, and 
was first distributed in France by M. Quesnd, of 
Havre, amongst his friends. It flowered in England 
for the first time in 1870, but continued rare for 
some years. The smaller pseudo-bulbs, bearing only 
one leaf, separate it from the type, while the short 
and broad claw of the middle lobe of the lip 
separate it from O. t. unguiculatum. 
Odontoglossum crispum FrancoisMasereel. 
—The history of this remarkable Odontoglossum, 
which was recorded in our issues for the 17th and 
24th November last, is now given together with a 
coloured plate in the Revue de L'Horticulture Beige for 
this month. It was introduced in a large importation 
by MM. Vervaet et Cie, in July, 1893, and was 
named O. crispum Franz Masereel in commemoration 
of the youngest partner of the firm recently deceased. 
It formed part of a considerable consignment, of 
which all the large plants were dried up or rotten. 
This was nothing short of a disaster, for to the hopes 
which vanished come to be added the loss of money 
uselessly expended on the importation. The small 
plants were in better condition. Fifteen hundred of 
them as well as some back bulbs saved from the 
large pieces were put into a hot house. About 250 
more of them perished before being put into pots. 
Thus then scarcely 1,000 semi-established plants 
to-day represent one of the most considerable con¬ 
signments ot Odontoglossum crispum which has been 
sent into Belgium. A dozen of those plants have 
already flowered; all are of good form, the greatest 
part being of admirable purity of colour. 
-—s-- 
TIE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 
Frost and Protection. 
Similar to last year the frost has set in with the 
new year, and though not so severe it has almost 
brought to a standstill many out-door operations. 
Those who took the precaution to have everything 
well protected need not fear any harm unless we 
have it with greater severity, as a little frost now 
will be very seasonable in keeping vegetation in 
check. Should severe weather set in there are always 
plenty of odd jobs that may be done under cover, 
or when the ground is froze hedges may be clipped, 
wheeling done, walks gravelled, soil heaps turned 
over, Pea-sticks sharpened, in short anything that 
will assist in forwarding the work later on. Forced 
vegetables will now need much attention,particularly 
where there is not sufficient heat to enable ventila¬ 
tion without lowering the temperature too much. 
Where frames have to be kept covered with mats 
in order to exclude the frost there is but poor prospect 
of a sturdy and healthy growth. 
Asparagus, 
Those who took the precaution as previously 
advised to cover the beds intended to be lifted with 
litter, will be able to take up a sufficient quantity 
of roots to keep them going even though the frost 
should continue for some time. Be careful when 
lifting not to expose the roots longer to the atmos¬ 
phere than can be avoided, especially if cold frosty 
winds are blowing, as this has a tendency to weaken 
them. Much judgment will be needed where 
Potatos require earthing, for the foliage of these is 
very tender, especially where the lights have been 
kept closed. The soil used ought to be warmed 
previously, and the middle of the day, when the sun 
is bright, should be chosen for the work. See that 
there is not too much moisture in the bed, at the 
same time it is not well to allow it to become dry. 
Seakale and Rhubarb should be introduced into the 
forcing house at intervals in order that there be no 
lack in the supplies of these useful commodities. 
Salads, &c. 
Endive, Lettuce, Chicory, Dandelion, and other 
salads should be put in to blanch. A strong heat is 
not required for these things, it is, however, essential 
that all light be excluded, otherwise they will not 
be crisp and of a delicate flavour. French Beans 
should be sown either in pots or cold frames to give 
a succession. At this time of the year they do not 
set freely,particularly in such weather as we are now 
having, as the flowers do not get perfectly dry. 
Advantage should be taken of every favourable 
opportunity to ventilate, in order that the superfluous 
moisture may be passed off. French Beans are by 
no means a difficult vegetable to force, if due pre¬ 
caution be taken to have them well-attended to. 
Should they be neglected, red spider soon makes its 
appearance, and if this is not checked will spread 
with marvellous rapidity, and spoil thej prospect 
of a crop. 
