4IO 



Journal of Agriculture . Victoria. [lo June, 1911. 



to reproduce themselves naturally, because the conditions demanded by their 

 seed are absent. Hence, the propagator has artificially to provide those 

 conditions, and in this connexion a knowledge of Botanv is often a contribu- 

 tory factor to success. Because of being unable to adapt themselves to their 

 new surroundings, hybrid plants and improved varieties often fail to do 

 what is expected of them. 



Deciduous trees and manv evergreens shed a large quantitv of leaves 

 over the ground beneath them. These leaves provide a natural mulch to 

 the fallen seed and, when thick enough, assist their germination. The 

 writer has found that with .some seed, such as oak acorns, it is best to follow 

 Nature's ways; and, instead of burying them in the soil, where they rot 

 easily, just lay them on the surface with a good mulch of dead leaves 

 spread over them, keeping them continually moist, when a good germination 

 will usuallv result. 



FRENCH BEANS ON NARROW BEDS. ROUGHLY PREPARED. WITH GUTTERS FOR 



IRRIGATION. 



Seed that takes a long time to germinate, and is impatient of extremes 

 in temperature, such as celery, parsnips, &c., should be kept moist continu- 

 ally, until well above ground. \\'hen the soil is inclined to " cake " or set 

 on top, and surface watering is carried out. it is advisable to plant shallow 

 and mulch with short manure. Mulching is impractical in extensive field 

 operations, but is largely adopted in the practice of intense culture. The 

 difficulty of starting seed in summer is the rapid evaporation of moisture 

 and the .setting of the surface soil. The latter does not allow a sufficiency 

 of air to reach the seed. If the sun heat is strong, and the soil dries even 

 for a few hours at a critical stage of germination, large numbers of the 

 seeds will fail, whereas with a mulch of .short manure evaporation is re- 

 tarded. Watering can then be controlled better, while the fertilizing 

 qualities of the manure will leach out in watering, and be a stimulus to the 

 young plants. 



(To he continued.) 



