As a general rule in planting, cover all seed with a depth of soil the thickness of the size of the seed. There 
are, of course, some exceptions. Peas, for instance, are better at a depth of two or three inches. For all of 
the smaller kinds the ground should be firmly pressed before the seed is sown; then cover and lightly sprinkle. 
The great cause of failure with the amateur is too much haste. Very few seed should be sown out-of-doors 
until the ground has become warm; and the best and safest manner, with flower seeds, is to sow in shallow 
boxes and place in a window having a sunny aspect. The requisites for the germination of all seeds are 
Moisture, warmth and darkness; the rain gives the first, the sun the second, and covering of soil the last. In 
out-of-door planting we always advise that one should make two separate sowings of each packet, which will 
guarantee a surety against unavoidable changes of weather. 
PROTECTION OP PLANTS. 
In our variable climate it is necessary to cover many of the Herbaceous Plants, es¬ 
pecially in this vicinity and other places upon the sea coast where the ground is likely to 
be bare a part of the time during the cold weather. Farther north, where the ground is 
covered with snow from early fall until spring, it is not so essential, as the snow is the 
best protection thej' can have. 
Forest Leaves afford the best artificial protection, but when leaves are not at hand, 
boughs answer nearly as well and are an excellent safe-guard against thawing and freez¬ 
ing, which kills more roots than continuous cold weather; even when leaves are used a 
few boughs thrown over them will prevent the leaves from being blown about by the 
winds. Deep coverings of any kind should be avoided. Hardy plants must not be kept 
too warm. A covering of manure is injurious to many varieties of plants. Do not hurry 
tp take off the covering ! We are apt to be too impatient for spring to come, a few bright 
days in April often tempts us to uncover our plants, a cold snap now either kills them 
outright or sets them back so that a sickly growth is the result. Better never have cov¬ 
ered them than to expose their tender shoots (which have started out during the time they 
were excluded from the sun’s rays) before the weather is settled. 
REPLANTING- OR POTTING PLANTS. 
By the middle of August or first of September plants intended for house culture dur¬ 
ing the winter, should be carefully repotted into clean pots. The following directions 
may be useful to many: 
To ascertain if a plant wants fresh potting, remove it carefully from the pot with the 
earth attached, (by placing the hand over the top and then inverting the plant and tap¬ 
ping the edge of the pot lightly against some object) examine the roots. If they are 
matted against the sides of the ball, the plant requires a larger pot. Remove the decayed 
roots, gently loosen the earth to allow the new roots to take a firm hold of the fresh soil 
and place in a pot at least two inches broader across the top than the old one. If the roots 
are not matted but the pot islilled with fibers, keep the ball entire and carefully place it in 
a larger pot. 
* 
Care should always be taken in potting to press the earth firmly about the roots to 
exclude the air. A newly potted plant must not be exposed to a strong sun. It should be 
freely watered and kept in the shade for a few daj's to allow the roots to get established. 
Plants are often destroyed by careless potting. Do not twist the roots of large 
plants, but allow them to take their natural shape. Weeds growing in pots exhaust the 
nutriment in the earth which should feed the plant. 
Directions for Growing Dutch Bulbs in the House. 
Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocuses and Narcisses potted in October or November produce flowers during the win¬ 
ter months. 
When Hyacinths are to be grown in pots, a five or six inch pot is required. The pot should be filled with 
rich earth. Place the bulb in the center and press it into the soil until it is about two-thirds covered; then 
press the earth firmly about the bulb to keep it in place. After watering, the pot should be kept in some cool 
dark place until the roots have had time to grow, then brought to the light. II' it is desired to grow them in 
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