The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-10

L take little more soil, tWo-thlrdS loan,
one-third pure sand, and rub it together
through a sieve, a bit of wire netting, and
cover the soil in the box with thin, even
layer of this. With a bit of board then
mark the surface in rows, one inch and
half apart and in these depressions sow
the seed evenly and thinly, covering after
ward with sifted soil to a depth of not over
twice the bulk of the seed. After gently
but thoroughly watering the SOIL wiring
out of water thick cloth, or doubled piece
of flannel, fold it to fit the box and tack it
over the soil like blanket Seed germi-
mates better for this covering, and requires
less frequent watering. Whenever the
cloth becomes dry it needs re-wetting, but
when the plantlets appear should be re-
moved to give them light and air.
Very fine seeds, Begonias, Gloxinias,
Coleus, Calceolarias. etc, need little diff
ferent treatment. They will stand almost
no depth of soil over them, while, unless
care is exercised. the frequent wetting nee
essary to such shallow covering crusts the
earth around them so that the tiny plants
cannot force their way through. The reg
ulation way of preventing this, is this
The seed is sown on the surface of the pots
of sifted SOIL and watered when necessary
by setting the pots in saucers filled with
water, the moisture being carried upwards
by capillary attraction. One must watch
the soil, that it neither becomes sodden on
the one hand, nor is allowed to dry out on
the other.
often sow these fine seeds in boxes and
cover with wet cloth, as has already been
described water by taking an old clothes
brush-kept for the purpose dipping
it in water, give it quick firt to throw of
the surplus water, then run my finger alon,
the ends of the bristles so that shower o
mist is thrown in every direction. The sol
is quickly wet in this way, and as it doe
not harden the soil in the least I water il
this manner not only the smallest seeds
but other medium fine seeds, such as Prim
ula, Carnation, Cinerarias, etc. It is nc
better way than to water from the saucer
but always seems less trouble to me.
Seeds sown at one time will not all come
up together No unavailable rule can be
given, for the state of the weather, depth
of covering and other things will affect the
time of termination. Usually Coleus, Car
nations Cinerarias, Geraniums, Calceola-
RUS, Additions and Begonias will appear
in from five to twelve days; Lantanas, Glox-
lnias, Primulas and Heliotropes in from
two to three weeks; Cyclamens, four to
eight weeks, and Smilax from three weeks
to four months. One gets very tired wait
ing on these tardy Smilax and Cyclamen,
but rarely does a seed fail to grow, and
when once they are up they are SO ashamed
of their laziness that they grow right of
and leave the other plants behind them,
If seed has been sown thinly the seedlings
will not need to be transplanted until they
show couple of leaves beyond the seed
leaf. Put them in the smallest sized pots
at first, and as soon as you judge the roots
have reached the sides of the pot. shift
into pots one size larger. They grow faster
and do much better in pots little larger
than the ball of roots, SO that time is really
lost by putting tiny plant at once into a