CH. I.] SOWING. 33 



formation of the cluck. To preserve the seeds of our 

 winter crops from such vicissitudes, they should in- 

 variably be sown upon and covered with a thin stratum 

 of coal ashes — these are an excellent drainage, as well 

 as a good non-conductor of heat. 



The preceding facts afford a warning to those 

 who have to pack seeds for lengthened transport in 

 tropical regions. They cannot be kept too dry — for 

 heat alone will have no influence over their germina- 

 tion ; and they should, therefore, be put into small, 

 open, canvas bags, and suspended from the beams of 

 the upper cabins, where a current of air mil keep the 

 seeds as free as possible from damp. Close packing 

 in paper, in boxes, and in tin cases, stowed away in the 

 hot hold of a ship, causes such a heating of the seeds, 

 such an extrication of moisture from them, as is just 

 enough to commence their germination ; and which, 

 only carried through its first stage, ceases, and then 

 decomposition ensues, which effectually destroys the 

 arousing vitality. 



Water being such an essential application to the 

 seed as well as to the growing plant, it may be at 

 once observed, that the source from whence it comes 

 is by no means immaterial. The best for the gar- 

 dener's purpose is rain water, preserved in tanks 

 sunk in the earth, and rendered tight either by pud- 

 dling, or bricks, covered with Parker's cement. To 

 keep these tanks replenished, gutters should run 



