The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-02
Farm, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.



Many persons think that u great deal
of skill is necessary to grow flowers sue
cessfully, but this is not the case. All
that is required is a reasonable amount
Of care and patience. and choice flowers
can be AS easily grown AS choice yegeta
bles. In the first place, good seed
should be obtained, or failure and diSap-
pointnent is almost certain. The prin-
cipal causes Of failure 10 make seed
germinate are covering too deep, allow
ing the surface 10 become too dry, or an
excess of moisture. To guard against
these, "a cold.frame is very useful; and
| would recommend everybody who has
half dozen varieties 10 SOW 10 try one.
IL is made by making n box-like frame
Of boards without a bottom, which should
be twelve or fifteen inches high AT the
back, sloping 20 about six inches in
front, so AS to catch the direct rays of
the sun as much ms possible. 1t can be
made of any size desired and nailed at
the corner, if small enough 10 be easily
moved about, or if larger. fastened 10.
gether with hooks and staples.
Prepare IA bed in Il warm, sheltered
spot IN the garden; rake out all the Jumps
and stones aud on this set the frame,
and cover with ordinary hot-bed sash,
or old window sash, which will do quite
as well. Make the soil in the frame
smooth and firm with board, and SOW
the seeds thinly and evenly on the sur.
face in squares. and label each sort with
"A short, pine stick. Have = pile of light,
sandy soil, or leaf mold from the woods,
which has been sifted through a fine
sieve, near at hand, and If the seeds are
very small carefully Eift il over them.
Probably more failure 10 make seeds
germinate result from covering too deep
than from any other cause. A good and
safe rule is 10 cover 10 the depth Of
about twice the diameter OF the seed.
This would give a covering Of about one
eighth of an inch 10 such seeds AS aster,
phlox and pansy; one-sixteenth Of an
inch 10 petuniA, portulaca, and seeds
of like size, while very fine seeds, like
lobelia, should be scarcely covered at
all, but merely pressed slightly into the
soil. After the seeds are all covered
make the soil firm again with the hands,
aud water with pot having fine rose,
80 as not % wash the soil from the seeds.
Now put on the sash and keep IL tightly
closed until the plants begin 30 come
up, watering often enough 10 keep the
surface moist Cover the frame with
straw mats or Loards at night 10 keep
out the cold, and after the plants are up
give plenty Of air during warm, sunny
day. Pail out the weeds As fast as they
appear and keep the plants well thinned
out. so as they will grow strong and
stocky. The trimmings can be saved
and transplated 20 another frame il de-
sired. After the plants have grown an
inch or two and obtained their second
pair Of leaves, transplant them 20 the
garden. frs; giving the seei-bed "A good
soaking with water. TransplAnting
should be done on a showery day, If
possible; but il is better 10 transplant
IN n dry time than 20 wait TOO long for
rain. Make holes where the plants are
10 be set, ill them with water, and then
set the plant; water again and cover
each plant with n piece OF paper held
down with clods of earth.