2 
from getting a good start. Torrential rains frequently 
wash away the seed before they have had a chance to 
germinate. If the soil is very heavy or has been poorly 
prepared the seedlings germinate, but lack the strength 
to develop further. 
Any one intending to raise annuals or perennials from 
seed will find the beginning stage the most interesting. 
However, he must curb his enthusiasm and not start the 
plants too early in the season, or they become stunted 
and crowded before it is time to plant them out. As there 
always is some danger of cold weather up to the early 
part of May, it is best not to start the quick-growing 
kinds until a month or six weeks before time for plant- 
ing outdoors. That means that most of the seeds should 
be sown toward the end of March and the beginning of 
April. Most perennials and those annuals that require 
a long period for their development may be sown in Feb- 
ruary. Such annuals are lobelia, penstemon, petunia, 
salvia, snapdragon, verbena, and vinca. Another reason 
for delaying planting of the seed is the cold weather in 
February and March, and if the gardener is entirely de- 
pendent upon the coldframe for raising his plants he will 
lose some of them if started too early. 
After the latter part of March the weather is generally 
warm enough for growing seedlings in a coldframe. Fig- 
ure 1, plate 6, shows a small frame any one can build with 
little effort. It is not necessary to have a coldframe sash. 
Second-hand window sash can be obtained from house- 
wrecking companies for a few dollars, and the frame can 
be built to the size of the sash. If the seed are sown in 
April a glass cover for the frame is not absolutely nec- 
essary. Oiled-cloth, cheesecloth or even boards can be 
used as a covering when protection is needed in colder 
weather. If seedlings are already growing in the cold- 
frame and a sudden drop in temperature down to the 
freezing point or lower is indicated, boards, old blankets, 
sacks, etc., may be used as an extra cover until warmer 
weather returns. However, a glass cover is an advantage, 
since sunlight can be admitted on cold days. Naturally, 
PUDOR’S, INC., PUYALLUP, WASH. 
