A FEW SUGGESTIONS ON RAISING FLOWER SEEDS 
10—An Alternate and very sim¬ 
ple method of seed raising. 
Small individual frames are im¬ 
provised from old boxes; fruit 
cases are very suitable. Remove 
lid and knock out the bottom, 
leaving the four sides. Bury this 
about one-third of its depth in 
previously prepared fine friable 
soil. Water if necesary, sow the 
seed as explained in paragraphs 
4 and 5, and cover with glass 
and paper as above. This method 
assures a more uniform supply 
of moisture, besides the neces¬ 
sary shelter. 
Most garden failures occur from 
the time you plant the seed until 
the tiny little seedlings are ready 
to transplant to the garden. 
The rules for success are simple 
and are really only common - 
sense. The main essentials are 
warmth, even moisture, and pro¬ 
tection from harsh winds, baking 
sunshine and scouring rains. A 
brief study of the hints below 
will assure, you of success with 
all the popular flower seeds, and 
you can grow better strains, 
different varieties and colours of 
your own choice. 
1—Suitable soil is important. Ordinary 
clean garden soil, lightened by the 
addition ef sand and leaf mould, is suffi¬ 
cient to half fill the box, while the top 
few inches should be sieved. 
2 — Shallow boxes about 4 inches deep 
are the best, with the bottoms con- ' 
taining enough spaces to allow for free 
drainage. Tins or other watertight con¬ 
tainers should on no account be used. 
The soil is filled into boxes as mentioned 
above and gently consolidated and levelled 
off with a straight stick. For large seeds 
shallow drills may be impressed in sur¬ 
face. 
3—The filled seed boxes should be 
thoroughly wetted before sowing the 
seed. If only a coarse rose water-can is 
available, the watering may be done 
through a layer of scrim or sacking to 
prevent washing of the surface. 
4—Now for the actual sowing; do not 
disturb wet soil. Scatter seed evenly 
along drills or with fine seeds, on surface. 
(To help even sowing of fine seeds they 
should be mixed with dry sand or soil.) 
6—Very lightly cover the seed with dry 
sand or soil. A mere dusting is 
sufficient for fine seeds. Do not again 
water. 
6 —A sheet of glass should be placed on 
top of box and covered with a sheet 
of paper. These two coverings greatly 
assist germination by conserving moisture 
and maintaining an even temperature. 
Place box in a warm, sheltered corner, 
but not in full mid-day sun. 
7—Immediately the tiny seedlings appear. 
remove paper shading and slightly 
raise one corner of glass to allow for 
ventilation. For watering see paragraph 9. 
8 —When seedlings are large enough to 
handle they should be pricked out 
(transplanted) two inches apart in simi¬ 
lar boxes, which should be put in the 
open for increasingly longer times each 
day to harden off. 
9—Watering is best done by immersing 
the whole box in tub and allowing 
the moisture to soak up. Overhead water¬ 
ing batters down the young plants and 
often induces wilt. 
1 
