SEEDLINGS 



application more evenly than is possible with 

 a stream. Aim to keep the soil moist all 

 through, all the time, but never go beyond 

 the moist stage. Great harm can be done by 

 the excessive use of water, under the impres- 

 sion that it is necessary to use a good deal in 

 order to facilitate germination. 



The boxes should be placed where they 

 can have considerable heat, and kept there 

 until the plants appear. Then put them in a 

 window where the tempei<ature can be kept 

 at about 70° by day and 65^ by night, and let 

 there be as little variation as possible from 

 these figures. Too much heat will force the 

 plants, too much coolness will lower their 

 vitality. Therefore both should be avoided 

 as far as possible. Unless conditions are 

 favorable to a control of temperature I would 

 not advise attempting this phase of gardening, 

 as much fluctuation of it almost invariably 

 means failure. 



Fresh air must be given the young plants, 

 but they must be zealously kept from drafts. 

 A slight chill often causes them to wither as 

 if touched with frost. Admit air to them as 

 advised in the chapter on the General Care of 

 Plants. 



132 



