New Seed Arrivals 
The following remarks are short items on 
seeds just received or soon to arrive. 
Epiphyllum are now in full bloom in 
Brazil and we will have fresh seed in July 
and August; the packets will be 50¢ each. 
All the Epiphyllums grown there are hybrid 
forms, mostly unnamed and the seed will 
be in pure whites, reds, doubles and quad- 
tuples, etc. The seeds of some of these havo 
dubious germination powers and in those 
cases we hope to offer leaf segments, the 
U. S. authorities, permitting. This Cactus 
is especially a nice greenhouse plant and for 
the house. Any Cactus fan should get some 
of this seed, fresh upon arrival. 
Melocactus melocatoides or as listed in- 
correctly in some lists as M. violacae, has 
been in bloom for the last six months (Brazil) 
but fresh seed will arrive any day now; this 
is a conical Cactus, 4 inches high and 6 
in diameter. ; 
Tibouchina bicolor seed has just arrived 
and as this is an exceptionally good strain of 
this hard-to-find tropical tree, those in tho 
far South will want to get some of it germ- 
inating at once. Packets are $1.00 and it 
is my guess that it would do best on our 
milled sphagnum, if you do not have any, 
mention it when ordering and I will include 
enough for the seed, without charge; in re- 
turn, please write us your results. Thea 
purple species of Tibouchina will come 
along about June or July and if you wart 
to try it, get your order in now and let us 
send you fresh seed; packets are 75¢. 
Phhaeomeria magnifica seed has just 
come in and as it comes from the tropics, 
now is the time to plant it while the seed is 
fresh. This has the typical ginger type fol- 
iage and habit of growth, however, clumps 
are somewhat scarce, due to the height of 
the plants, which under favorable conditions 
will attain a height of 15 feet. In the green- 
house, stunted plants may form, that stil 
flower. The inflorescence from  subterran- 
eans rhizomes and consist of a_ veritable 
torch-like single flower of of salmon or red 
color, and about twice the size of a man’s 
fist. Seeds germinate readily on, or just 
under, carefully’ prepared rich soil. Often 
a layer of chopped sphagnum is very bene- 
fical.. It is a greenhouse subject in the 
North. We hope to have pictures of this 
in our next issue. 
I might mention here that a great many 
tree seeds have been received around the first 
of May and hope those having orders on file 
had species among these arrivals. 
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Notes on Seed Planting 
In germinating seeds one must consider 
these three factors: moisture, oxygen and 
temperature. 
Moisture is of first importance in pract- 
ically all cases but the seed coat of the seed, 
must also be considered, too. Very haid 
seeds, such as the Canna, must receive 
special treatment in nursery practice, where 
germination must occur with as little effort 
and lost time as is possible. Under natural 
conditions, the germination eventually takes 
place, even if only a small percentage grows, 
The supply of oxygen, while seldom con- 
sidered by the ordinary gardener, is, never 
the less, of great importance. There is a 
chemical reaction set up within the embryo 
by the heat and moisture and oxygen is a 
very necessary element for this change to 
to be accomplished. Without these thred 
factors, germination fails. 
Temperature, of course, is of great im- 
portance and as a general rule, ordinary 
outdoor plants germinate between 50 and 
70 degrees F.; conservatory plants, 60-80; 
and tropical or so-called stove-plants, 75-95 
degrees. 
Temperature Requirements 
Naturally, the highter the temperature 
that is required, the more moisture, espec- 
ially in the air, is necessary. 
There is also a great difference in the 
seed of various plants as well as of the var- 
ious lots of seeds in the same species. Pan- 
sies, for instance, may vary a great deal, de- 
pending upon its harvest. It is necessary 
to pick the seed early, before the capsules 
burst and scatter their seeds. If picked too 
early, the seed naturally will be immature 
and thus the sooner it is planted the better, 
but properly harvested, the seed can be 
held in storage for a considerable time. Ot- 
her seeds lose their moisture quickly, in stor- 
age, and thus lose their germination, and, 
again, there are kinds of seeds, such as ithe 
Cucumber and Primula, that even germin- 
ate the second or third year, better than dur- 
ing the first year after harvest. 
One must have some knowledge of the 
seeds of the plants he is trying to grow and 
this can come only by experience and con- 
tinual study. It connot all be told in a 
few lines on the seed packet as some seem 
to think. 
Time to Sow Seeds 
There is a proper time to sow all kinds 
of seeds. Probably the first consideration 
would be the requirement of the species, 
itself. Most cultivated plants that have been 
grown by man for many generations, have 
become adapted to planting at most any 
time but those plants that have but recently 
been grown under nursery practice, or the 
‘untamed’ species, as commonly stated, are 
more exact in their time for germination. 
One must know these requirements, if he is 
to save time and effort. 
Then there is the time element to be 
considered in commercial planting. Seed 
can be more profitably planted in July than 
in May, if the July sown seed will producd 
just as saleable plants for the next Spring 
sales. Two or three month of unnecessary 
work is thus saved. However, with the 
amateur this may mean play to him and thus 
his timing is not so important. 
Much has been written about the soil 
for the seed bed, and much that is written 
on the subject is misleading. So much sand 
must measured out; then one must have 
just so much leaf-mold; peat must or must 
not be used, etc. It is all a complicated 
matter if looked at from this point of view. 
Going back to the beginning of this art+ 
icle, is the requirement of oxygen. This is 
supplied mainly by air, then it follows that 
the soil should be reasonably open and 
loose, so that air can be present. In nature 
the Spring rains contain much free oxygeri 
which supplies this need but in the seed pan 
this is different and usually the water is tap 
water without a trace of oxygen in it, so the 
oxygen supply so necessary to start germin- 
ation must be supplied by a fresh loose 
soil and of course, sand mixed in will tend 
to make this possible. Leaf-mold, so often 
mentioned, also affords oxygen to the soil 
but its main value is more in its supplying 
soil organism that in turn, set up an oxydiz- 
ation process that assists to this end. 
The Moisture Content 
The matter of moisture in the seed pan or 
bed, too, must be considered from the oxy- 
gen point of view. A soil continually over- 
watered and that does not drain readily, 
eliminates the oxygen in the soil. It can be 
easily seen that correct watering, as well as 
proper drainage is of great importance. The 
soil should be such as will allow the surplus 
water to drain off readily and in doing so, 
it draws into the soil a fresh supply of air 
or oxygen. 
The proper temperature for each kind of 
seed is of importance. Alpine seed germin- 
ates only under cool conditions; others need 
a very warm temperature. These have to 
be known and the less the particular plant 
has been grown by man, the more demand. 
ing the plant is that natural conditions bd 
followed. 
Shade When Required 
The matter of shading, whether light or 
darkness, is a subject little considered by 
most growers. In the case of some seeds, 
it is not very important but with many 
seeds, it is. Beds or pans of many specied 
covered with common muslin, germinates 
perfectly, while if left to the direct sun light, 
the germination is variable. My own exper- 
ience with many seeds indicate that this 
shading should always be kept in mind. 
Delphiniums germinate very much better if 
shaded or the seed pan placed in the dark 
side of the room. 
The matter of peat, lime and other such 
items, that in the end only mean whether 
the soil should be acid or alkaline, is a 
matter to be considered when the seed is 
eing planted. Naturally, where a certain 
plant has always grown in sour soil, such 
as is found in low places, and an acid soil 
will have to be supplied in the seed pans or 
beds. 
PERENNIAL FLOWER SEED 
Per Oz. Per Lb. 
DELPHINIUM 
Gaahad Series, White... ........ 3.00 30.00 
Biue Jay. mid-blue; drak bee 3.00 30.00 
King Arthur. Royal purple.......... 3.00 30.00 
Cameliard. Lavender; w _ bee.... 3.00 30.00 
Blue Bird. Mid-blue; W _ bee.... 3.00 30.00 
Black Knight. Dark blue.......... 3.00 30.00: 
Lancelot Series. Clear lilac.......... 3.00 30.00 
Summer Skies. Light blue; WB 3.00 30.00 
Rouvd Table. Blend of Series.... 2.50 25.00! 
PANSY. 
Swiss Giants. The best strain 2.00 20.00 
fELIX. The NEW ‘whiskered’ Pansy; 
have some plants of this...... 5.00 50.00) 
LU PINS. 
Russell Peenniel Strain................ 40 4.0 
region) (Gar tse cinecccsncenc--chanssucvesconece 3.00 25.00; 
HARRY E. SAIER Dimondale Michigan; 
