324 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



sowing which are of paramount importance to the success and vigour of ger- 

 mination, and the regularity, strength, and luxuriance of the crop, besides 

 that of having good and perfect seed. These are the proper mechanical con- 

 dition of the soil, and the regular and uniform depth at which the seed is 

 sown. The presence of air, moistiire, and a certain degree of warmth, is 

 essential to the germination of seeds. In the absence of these agents, the pro- 

 cess of germination will not go on. The soil is the medium by means of which 

 a supply of air, moisture, and warmth is kept up ; but, unless the soil be in a 

 proper condition, it cannot supply these. If it be very dry, it contains too 

 much air and too little moisture. The proper condition of the soil is when it 

 is neither very dry nor very wet ; it is then moist, but not wet ; it has the 

 appearance of having been watered, and is easily crumbled to pieces in the 

 hand, witn its particles adhering together. 



914, A state of too much dr}Tiess seldom occurs in this country ; but the pre- 

 sence of too much water is not vmcommon ; it is, however, remedied by drainage. 

 The grand point is to get the soil thoroughly well pulverized, by means of 

 which, with proper drainage, it will be in a condition favourable to germina- 

 tion of seeds. Temperature exercises a powerful influence over the time re- 

 quired for germination, and, within certain limits, the higher the temperature 

 is, the more rapidly does germination go on. The soil receives its heat through 

 the medium of the air ; consequently the surface-soil is more quickly heated 

 than that lower down. Whenever the air is warmer than the soil, the surface 

 will be warmer than that below ; when, on the other hand, the air is cooler, 

 the surface will, by contact, cool much more rapidly than that below the sur- 

 face. From this it follows, the more rapid germination will occur at about one 

 inch below the surface, to which depth the heat will soon penetrate, and which, 

 nevertheless, will not be so readily cooled during the night. Seeds on the 

 surface will generally grow most rapidh^, and the germination of others will 

 occupy more time as the distance from the surface is increased. It is owing 

 to this fact that seeds too deeply sown do not grow at all, the temperature not 

 being sufficiently elevated, and the supply of air being too Hmited to set the 

 chemical process at work, which is essential to germination. M. S. 



§ 4.— The Fruit-Garden. 



915. Planting of all kinds, except in cases of absolute necessity, should now 

 be over for the season. Should it still be necessary to plant, precautions should 

 be taken to protect the tender roots, while they are j-et foreign to the soil, 

 both from frost and heat, by mulching with long stable manure, or, as some 

 recommend, by laying a layer of pebbles over them, laid on a bed of sand, and 

 covering that, during the spring months, with ferns, haulm, or other attainable 

 rubbish. All winter pruning will now be completed. Peaches and necta- 

 rines are advancing towards blossom, and apricots, on a south wall, will 

 be showing their bloom. These now require the greatest attention. If tho 



