Excerpt from Horsford's Descriptive Catalogue of Hardy Ornamentals, Herbaceous Plants, Bulbs, Ferns, Shrubs and Vines

Ardy perennials are not generally as easily grown from seed as annuals Manyof them are slow in coming up, and when once - up are quite tender until they attain fairly good size. In a light, mellow soil some do very well planted at once in the Open ground, but others need the pro tection Of a cold-frame until they have sufficient roots to withstand the sun. Glass is, no doubt, the best covering if closely cared for, but I like the protecting cloth quite as well. If the sun comes out unusually hot, and the glass IS down, the plants may be killed In a short time, but with the cloth there is no danger. A light cotton will answer when only a small frame 15 used It is best to hav e two frames, SO the. Seedlings may be transplanted as soon as they are Of sufficient size. This should be done as soon as a few roots are formed, and before they begin to crowd. The seed may be sown in pots or in rows. If in rows, the soilin the frame should be rich, light and mellow, A mixture Of light, sandy loam and leaf mold is excellent. If they are sown in pots, these should be filled a quarter or a third with crocks or small stones to insure good drainage, and the balance with a good, rich soil, such as has been advised for the rows, and in which the Seed is sown. After the first transplanting the seedlings need a little more light, especially after two or three days, and if the weather 15 mild the covering may be raised, admitting light and air. I like two or three grades of the protecting cloth, 'o using the beav iest at first, and the thinner, which admits more light and air, after the plants have become stronger. If everything has gone well with them, the young seedlings will do to go outside in four to six weeks after the first transplanting; but the cov ering should be left Off three or four days previous to this, in order to harden them off before the Change By giving the young Seedlings a little exposure before hand, and shading afterwards, I have had fairly good success in transplanting outside at first but I like much better the plan Of transplanting into the frame first, and then outside, as the plants seem enough better to pay for the extra work.

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