47- 



Joiinid oj Agriculhire, Vicior:a. [lo July. J91T. 



Hillside fields are scoured out badly owing to the tendency of such soils 

 to " run," and the flat country fields are a series of jjuddles, due to the soil 

 running together on top and becoming impermeable. When such land dries, 

 " caking " takes place, and the most unfavourable conditions for germina- 

 tion and groAvth are presented. Air is excluded. The closely compacted 

 surface soon dries out. The ground cracks and young roots are lacerated 

 or torn asunder. The air enters freely and the soil and roots of young 

 plantlings are subjected to great variations of temperature. Again, if 

 the wet w^eather continues, the soil becomes cold, sour, and waterlogged ; 

 and excess of moisture at low temperatures without a sufficiency of air is 

 opposed to the well-being (if agricultural seeds. 





&, 



)o 



GERMINATING SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. (After Kemer.) 



I. Seedling of Nasturtium. 2. Same in early stage of development. 3. Water 

 Chestnut, embryo emerging. 4. Later stage of development. 5. Seedling of 

 Austrian Oat. 6. Same, further developed. 7. Seed of Date, embryo emerging. 



8. Same, eight weeks later, showing development of roots and scale leaves. 



9. Young Date in longitudinal section. 10. Further developed. 11. Seed of Reed 

 Mace. 12. Same, with protruding embrvo. 13. Same, later stage of development. 

 14 and 15. .Seedling of Sedge. 



Where rough preparation is carried out for winter crops, the rain 

 gradually breaks down the soil, which does not then -.set so readily, and the 

 seed or young rootlings get the benefit of what little warmth is available. 

 However, the surface should never be so rough as to interfere with effective 

 seedage, or subsequent harvesting operations. In the north, with those 

 crops that require early autumn sowing, and' that germinate with little 

 moisture, such as peas, rape, &c., fine tillage is often advantageous. They 

 can be planted deeper, and thus get the benefit of conserved moisture. 

 VVhere light showers occur they get an early start, and make such rapid 

 progress that bad phases in the soil are prevented. 



It takes little moisture to start the process of germination in the 

 majority of seeds. The moisture that initiates these growth processes 

 usually enters by the micropyle, or other aperture, or soft portion of the 



