March, 1915 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
209 
are much better. If you have to use a 
pot, take a comparatively large one, and, 
after filling it about a third full, place a 
small pot in the center of it and fill the 
prepared soil around this, leaving it empty. 
Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil 
between the two pots and apply water 
through the inside pot, which is plugged 
at the bottom. Or the soil may be put in 
the small pot and the space between the 
pots stuffed with moss, which is kept 
evenly moist. In either case the water 
passes slowly through the porous sides of 
the smaller pot, keeping the soil moist 
without getting it wet. A light of glass 
over the pots, raised slightly at one side to 
admit air, will also help to conserve the 
moisture. While this method is good for 
very fine seed, like that of begonias or 
petunias, small, shallow wooden boxes, 
which may vary in size from a cigar box 
to a cracker-box “flat,” may be used with 
more convenience and as much success for 
the majority of the flower seeds. 
A number of different sorts may be 
started together in the same box, but be 
careful to tag each one as you plant it. Do 
not cover the seeds too deep. Very fine 
seeds should be merely pressed into the 
moist soil with a brick or piece of flat 
board, and covered with a thin layer of 
cocoanut fibre or sifted moss to shade the 
little sprouts until they begin to bury them¬ 
selves in the soil. The small flower seeds 
should be covered an eighth to a fourth 
of an inch deep — the old rule is two to 
three times their diameter when sown in¬ 
side, and three to four times when sown 
outdoors. Larger things, such as sweet 
peas, should go from a quarter to half an 
inch deep. Very hard seeds, such as moon- 
flowers, cannas and musa (bananna), 
should be carefully filed or cut through 
and soaked a day or two in tepid water 
before planting. 
Seed-beds made for flowers in a cold- 
frame or outdoors in some sheltered spot 
should be carefully drained, preferably by 
having a layer of coal ashes two or three 
inches thick put down, and the three or 
four inches of surface soil should be pre¬ 
pared as above. A little bed only a few 
feet square will serve for starting a great 
many plants. The rows of most sorts may 
be made as close as three or four inches, 
if it is intended to transplant the seedlings. 
If one expects to .thin them out and grow 
them where sown until ready for changing 
to the garden, they should be allowed 
more room. 
In sowing flowers in the open where 
they are to bloom, every possible care 
should be taken to provide a fresh, finely 
pulverized seed bed. A liberal dressing 
of manure or fertilizer should be added 
to it before the seed is put in. 
Among the best of the flowers which 
may be started from seed to flower the 
first year are: African daisy, allysum, 
ageratum, antirrhinum, asters, balsam, be¬ 
gonia, cafliopsis, cannas, candytuft, mar- 
-“ILLINOIS 
SELF-WATERING WINDOW BOXES 
AND HANGING BASKETS 
Patented, January 29, 1907-— June 22, 1909 
1D 9 A! 
The tube in the left hand corner extends upward for the 
purpose of pouring water into the reservoir in bot¬ 
tom which supplies moisture to the roots of 
plants through sponges and holds suf¬ 
ficient water to last 10 to 20 days. 
THE PRINCIPLE OF SUB-IRRIGATION, CONCEDED BY AUTHORITIES AS THE ONE CERTAIN METHOD OF 
OBTAINING THE BEST GROWTH IN ALL KINDS OF PLANTS, IS EMPLOYED TO PERFECTION IN ILLINOIS 
SELF-WATERING WINDOW BOXES and HANGING BASKETS, they can be placed 
IN ANY WINDOW OR HUNG IN LIBRARY OR PARLOR WITH ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE THAT NO ANNOYANCE 
WILL BE CAUSED FROM LEAKAGE AND CONSEQUENT DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. 
WE CAN SUPPLY “ILLINOIS” SELF-WATERING LINERS TO FIT ANY SI2E OR SHAPE OF JARDINIERES, 
VASES OR BOXES. 
See exhibit at International Flower Show, Grand Central Palace, New York, March 17th 
to 23rd, Booth F. 93. Write for catalog H and our special guarantee. 
MILLER & DOING, 39=41 York Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. J 
FREE 
The FftCtor of Safety 
in the Human Body 
This booklet tells you how to keep tab on your strength 
reserve. We mail it on receipt of postcard request. If you 
ask in a letter enclosing six 2c stamps, we will also send a sample 
copy of Good Health — the pocket magazine which teaches 
you how to keep well. Address your postcard or letter — 
Good Health Publishing Co. 
5703 W. Main St. Battle Creek, Mich. 
$ 1 0# ."hWal Window Box 
That Makes Plants Grow 
It can be set inside or 
outside the window or on 
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and drainage bottom. 
Made of heavy galvanized 
steel, enameled dark green, 
6" deep, 7V' wide and 
made in any lengths. 
To introduce and show you this box, we will send you by 
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receipt of SI.00 — West of the Mississippi for $1.50. Your 
money back if not satisfied. 
Get our free Booklet on plants and how to grow them. 
SUCCESS MANUFACTURING COMPANY 
15 SARGENT STREET GLOUCESTER, MASS. 
E.3cchang'e Snow and Ice for Sunshine, Fields of E,aster Lilies and Other Flowers 
HAMILTON HOTEL 
BERMUDA 
Largest and Leading Hotel—All Modern Conveniences 
48 Hours from New YorK 
New YorK Office: 389 FIFTH AVENUE 
Telephone: Murray Hill, 3850 Cable Address: Hotel, Bermuda 
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