178 Growing Flowers 



before the soil has dried out, or germination will 

 be retarded. 



Fresh air should be supplied to the seed boxes daily. 

 To open a window in an adjoining room will give 

 the necessary ventilation without danger of drafts. 

 A draft is hard on young plants and even before 

 the seeds are up they are endangered by a chilling 

 of the temperature of both soil and air. 



Seed boxes should not be placed in the sunlight 

 for two or three days after the seed is planted. 

 Moisture is the most important factor for the first 

 period. 



The proper way to harrow a seed bed is to run the 

 harrow, rake, or fork in different directions, the 

 second harrowing at right angles to the first, while 

 the surface of the soil should be pulverized to a 

 depth of several inches. 



In making wooden boxes or flats in which to plant 

 seed, do not fail to leave a little crack all around the 

 edge of the bottom of the box, otherwise holes will 

 have to be bored to make sure that good drainage 

 will be supplied. 



A very safe way of watering seed in flats, boxes, 

 etc., is to place the receptacle in a tub of water, 



