HARDY PERENNIALS FROM SEED. 
The majority of perennials are as easily grown as annuals from seed. Fre¬ 
quently a little more time is required, and it is not rare for the period of germi¬ 
nation to extend to three or four w T eeks; and in the case of some Anemones, 
Clematis and Gentians, to as many months or even a year. 
The same precautions against dryness and overwatering apply to perennials 
as to annuals. 
The seeds should be sown as early as possible in a cold frame protected by 
shaded glass, cotton cloth or lath screens on which the lath are spaced one inch apart. 
We prefer the lath screen because good ventillation is insured, and over-heating 
prevented, which causes much unaccountable distruction in the seed bed. The 
soil should be carefully prepared and should contain a good proportion of sandy 
loam or leaf mold. The seeds should be sown in narrow straight drills, which can 
be marked with the edge of a lath, and covered lightly. Very fine seeds should 
be sown in pots of light porous soil and plunged to their rims in some part of the 
frame where they can be carefully watched. Water the seed bed carefully and 
thoroughly when necessary, and protect with oil cloth from violent rain. Pluck 
out weeds as soon as their character can be determined. When the seedlings 
have made sufficient growth remove them to permanent place or to a nursery bed. 
If by autumn any kind has failed to appear, protect with evergreen boughs or 
excelsior packing which will also be beneficial to young seedlings yet in the frame. 
This simple plan of operation will make the growing of Hardy Perennials 
from Seed, not only permougbear,” but a source of real pleasure and unlimited 
satisfaction, to say nothing of possessing a valuable colection of plants which 
will live and bloom for years. A great many perenials bloom the first year if 
sow T n early. 
