Most persons procure house plants from the green-houses, and when but one or two of a kind 
are needed this is a good plan. Some, however, have green-houses and desire many plants, and 
others take pride and pleasure in growing from seed—in watching every day’s mysterious growth, 
from the tiny seed-leaf to the full developed plant, in all its grand display of beauty. To all 
such we shall be happy to furnish seeds. The seeds of Green-house plants are very small and 
delicate, generally, and require the greatest care to ensure success; and not only care but knowl¬ 
edge, for many are natives of other, and milder climates, and our treatment is, of course, artifi¬ 
cial, as we have to endeavor to give them the conditions under which they flourish in their 
native homes. These conditions are usually warmth and moisture—a humid, warm air as well 
as soil. The best advice we can give in regard to sowing the fine and delicate seeds is this : 
Sow the seeds in boxes or large pots. Obtain a mellow soil, such as could be made by rotting 
turf, and to this add about one-fourth sand, which will make a soil that will not bake. See that 
it is free of worms and insects of all kinds. Sow the seeds directly on the surface, and then dust 
on top a little fine earth through a seive. The work so far is well done. How, now, shall be 
secured the moisture, and warmth, and air necessary? If you pour on water, even irom a fine 
rose, it is very likely your seeds will be washed down into the light earth and be ruined; so, then, 
just put on water in spray. As the seeds are so near the surface it will not answer to let the 
sun shine upon them directly, or it would dry them up in five minutes, so the boxes in which the 
seeds are sown must be shaded. Now we have only to look at the atmosphere. If the air of 
the house is dry and dusty, the seeds will have a hard time, and perhaps will be ruined, and, 
when this is the case, cover the boxes or pots with glass, and that will secure a damp atmos¬ 
phere, caused by the moisture arising from the earth. When the plants are up they must have a 
little air, and sometimes sunshine, or they will become mouldy and decay near the surface of the 
ground. So, watch, and if you see signs of drooping, give air immediately. We recommended 
large pots or vases because in small pots the earth dries so rapidly from evaporation through the 
sides of the pot. A small pot can be put in a large one and the space filled with damp moss. 
As the seeds are mostly delicate, it is best to make several sowings at different times. We give 
engravings of most of the kinds named in this Department; others will be found in the Depart¬ 
ment of Tender Plants. 
TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 
I.ANTANA. 
CYCLAMEN PEKSICUM. 
