Sowing Seeds of the Pansy.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 218, 3 September 1887, Page 7

Sowing Seeds of the Pansy.

Pansy seeds Blioulcl bo eown thinly in shallow furrows, not more than one. sixteenth ot an mcli deep, Madd with tno sharpened edge of a piece of lath. The seed bed should bo mellow nudficb, leveled smooth before the seeds are sown, and after sowing the seeds should be covered evenly and the surface pressed with a piece of boavd. The seed bed slnuld be watered and shaded until the young plants are well up, after whi^h they should be gradually accustomed to full light. Shade for the seed bed may bo secured by laying over some kind ol frame, about a foot from the ground, laths, bomds or p'eces of sheeting. Seeds may be sown in autumn to be protected through the winter with leaves and brush, for early spring blooming ; or they may be Parted iv hot bed or window boxes in September, or even the end of August in the warmer districts, for plants which should flower early in December, or the end of November. For the general summer and autumn display, the seeds should be sown as a^ove directed out of door& as boon as the w eather will permit gardening operations, but no matter when or where sown if the seeds arc permitted to dry while gciminating, their vitality is gone. If covered too deeply, they cannot come up, and they cannot be covered too lightly if covered at all A rich loam is be&t suitod for pansies, and if not too stiff, a clayey soil is pieieiable to one which is sandy. But whatever its texture, the soil should be made rich with well rotted manure, thoioughly incorporated with the soil, and stirred several times while the plants are growing in the seed bed. Transplant after the plants have attained the fourth or fifth leaf, and before they become drawn up with crjwding Avoid a hot situation facincr the north. An eastern or southern slope is prefeiable Keep the bads picked off alter transplanting until they are well established, and during hob weather, if a good display of flowers is wished iv the autumn. Transplanting promotes a stocky growth, but as it al»o induces ca r ly lloweiing if the first buds are not removed they will soon exhaust themselves with excessive blooming. When growing whore they axe to stay, about a aquaie foot of space should be allowed for each plant. Frequent stirring of the soil is necessary between the plants until they are too large. If the plants are starved, the colour and size of flower? will be a disappointment ; if too crowded onty the first few flowers will be satisfactory. Land plaster is beneficial, but ashes roust be avoided.