Io 
Raising Plants from Seed. 
The following interesting paper on the 
above subject, read by Mr. G. Williams 
before the Central Queensland Horticul 
tural Society at Rockhampron, is taken 
from the ‘ Agricultural Journal’ of that 
Stete :— 2 ; reas 
The propagation of plants by seeds is 
the most natural mode, and is generally 
considered the most satisfactory, except- 
ing where the exact counterpart of a plant 
is desired. With some plants, inore par- 
ticularly amongst those of a ligneous 
nature, and which have been improved 
by cultivation and selection, the tendenoy 
amongst seedlings is frequently to revert 
to the original. Though an- occasional 
further improvement may be noted or 
brought about artificially, this is excep- 
tional. Consequenily, other means are 
employed to propagate and diffuse such 
varieties with their true characteristics. 
In connection with the rais n_ of plauts 
from seeds, the essentials of success are 
briefly, that the seeds have been properly — 
tipened and properly kept till the period 
of sowing, and that they may be sown in~ 
& proper manner under favorable ¢ rcum- 
stances, As to perfection and maturity, 
_ this is a matter over which the planter 
has usually but hitle control, being mainly 
dependent on the agency of others to 
procure his supplies. Consequently, the 
seedsman gets quite a full share of the 
blame for non-generation, The fertility, 
particularly of small seeds, caiinot well be — 
determined without the aid of a micro 
scope. Simple tests have been recom- 
mended; but their application can only 
be reliable in the case of large seeds, and 
it is usually to those of small size that 
the horticulturist is indebted for failures. 
The length of time which vitality remains — 
‘unimpaired must be considered in respect 
of perfection, for whilst in some it may 
be almost indefinite, in others it is very 
brief. With herbaceous plants the period 
is more or less extended. though frequently 
--doas not amount to two years. : 
The time when seeds aro self-sown is 
frequently quoted as being the most suit- 
_ able for propagating the species with the 
greatest degree of certainty in the absence 
of cultivation ; but this is hardly likely 
to commend itself for general application, 
particularly amongst annuals and peren- 
__ nials, if for no other reason than that the 
attendant inconvenience consequent upon 
the space of time which would frequently 
elapse before germination, With trees 
and shrubs the keeping qualities of seeds 
vary considerably, and these, being culti-_ 
vated with a different object to plants of 
herbaceous nature, should, as a general 
rule, be pianted at the earliest opportuni 
after ripening, Those of many of our a 
tivated fruits will not remain fertile for 
any length of time, and commence to 
germinate almost immediately after, and, 
_1n some cases, previous to planting. The 
» 
Heats germination of others, though, possessing 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
j eiey to pris ted 
keeping qualities. is greatly accelera 
by immediate planting. The conditio 
under which seeds are stored must affec 
their vitality, as the external agents 
essential to vegetation are water, he.t, 
and air. 
The principle of seed-sowing is never 
to bury the seeds deeper than is indispen- 
sable to the preservation of moisture 
around them, and it is «enerally accepted 
that they should be planted beneath the 
surface about the same depth as the 
extent of their own diameter, and those 
of a very deiicate nature immediately ow 
the surface, provision being made for the 
supply of the 
eapillary attraction. The covering with 
_ earth is to be regarded mainly as a method 
of preserving around them the necessary 
moisture rather than, as frequently sup- 
posed, as a means of guarding them from 
light, for, if deposited on a damp soil and 
covored with a plate of glass closely pressed 
down upon them, they will germinate as 
well as if in darkness, Seeing that the 
preservation of moisture (which, except 
in rare instances, must not be excessive) 
is one of the main factors in stimulating 
germination, it is indispensable that_the 
top soil at least is of a constituency best 
calculated to maintain a moist but not 
sodden condition. Fine, light, and rich 
soil, or a compost containing peat and 
leaf mould, is considered most favorable 
to the growth of nearly a'l seeds, though 
it is advisable, particularly where it is 
proposed to transplant the seedlings, that 
the fertility be not too intense, or an 
over-luxuriant growth, and consequently — 
instability, will result. f 
Though soeds will germin.to with due 
supplies of heat and moisture, a fertile 
soil is essential to further prograss, and it 
is found from experience that seeds of 
some plants do not vegetave in a strong 
loam, though the plants afterwards flourish 
in soil of that description, Experiments 
haye been made on the vegetation and 
growth of plants in pure earths, and .also 
in these with the aids of stimulants and 
- manures. It might have been supposed 
that the pure earths, with the addition of 
artificial manures, would have answored 
as well as a compost of peat and loam, 
but the result proved quite the contrary. 
' A moderately open and fertile soil will give 
best results, and tend to sturdy growth 
and general fitness of the young plants 
to withstand transplanting, though the 
effects of light and watering must be — 
considered in this connection. 
had perhaps better be employed), shallow 
boxes, with a suitable shade or covering 
to protect damage by heavy rains, and 
also as a protection against the sun’s rays, 
are also satisfactorily utilised. There is 
Some diversity of opinion as to whether — 
seeds should be planted in a damp soil, a 
comparatively dry soil and watered im- 
mediately after planting, or allowed to 
us 
necessary moisture by 
pore with mosquito net, and keeping the plants 
For starting annuals and perennials 
for transplanting, except those of a very — 
delicate nature (where pots or seed pans 
Minimised. The presence of an injurious — 
light, 
Tune 1, 1908 
absorb moisture from the surrounding 
soil for a varying time, according to the 
nature of the seeds, before watering. 
With field crops, more particularly those 
bearing small seeds, planting in compara- 
tively. dry ground has its advantages, for 
the seed has under ordinary circumstances 
filled out through the agency of moisture 
by absorption, and bursts almost imme- 
diately on the application of greater sup- 
ply, the young root, or radicle, being 
pushed down to a sufficient depth to 
maintain that necessary for future de- 
velopment. If planted in moist soil 
‘shortly after rain, germination is stimu- 
lated, but slower in action, and, in the 
absence of further rain, the drying of the 
surface may be so rapid that the young 
plants perish through the inability of the 
radicle to penetrate the svil to a sufficient 
depth in time to meet the requirements, 
The effects of light and shade are very | 
pronounced on young plants. Just how 
much shade is required can only be gauged — 
by observation and experience. The effocts 
of the direct sun’s rays on those of a 
delicate nature would be disastrous, whilst 
the absence of sufficient light would cause — 
a weak and drawn growth. Overwatering 
may also have a tendency in the same 
direction, and before transplanting in- 
creased light aud less water will tend to 
harden the young plants, that they may — 
be better able to withstand the shock. 
Insecc pests are frequently troublesome, 
destroyiug the young plants indiserimi- 
nately, hose which inhabit the svil of 
pots, etc., may be displaced or destroyed 
by hot water, which, though death to all 
insects at a tempercture of 12) to 125 — 
degrees, does not appear to injure plants. — 
Its application to foliage is unsatisfactory ~ 
owing to the difficulty of maintaining the 
temperature, which immediately drops 
when a spray is made. ‘Lhe vegetable- 
grower finds his investments in seeds of 
the Brassica family a dead loss owing to 
the persistency of small caterpillars that 
apparently await the appearance of the 
young plants above ground, and attempts 
to destroy the pest with insecticides 
usually result in the destruction of the 
plant also. Caterpillars which attack the — 
plants in this manner are the larvee of sar 
small moths, which are seldom seen in 
the daytime, and, consequently, escape 
- the blame to which they are entitled, A 
simple and effective barrier against their 
inroads may be made by covering a small 
frame —either for boxes or open ground— 
under cover until they are large enough ~ 
to transplant, when the liability to damage _ 
from the same source will be greatly 
fungus amongst young seedlings is some- 
times noted, and may occasion the loss of — 
the whole stock. It generally makes its 
appearauce where leaf mould or other re- 
gretable substance which is not thoroughly 
decompored has been used, or where plants — 
are overcrowded and not allowed sufficient. — 
