Seed 135 



Unless there is absolute certainty that these dan- 

 gers are not present, this method had better be 

 followed, otherwise a poor lot of young plants may 

 be the result. 



The seed bed should never be allowed to become 

 dry, but too much water should not be applied. 

 Too much moisture will exclude air and prevent 

 germination, as well as rot the seeds. Some 

 moisture is necessary, however, to promote germi- 

 nation. 



Where there are dry spots in an otherwise moist 

 seed bed, water only the dry spots, using a fine 

 nozzle in order that too much water will not pour 

 out and spread over the already damp places. 



It is not advisable for the gardener of a small 

 plot to save seeds of all his crops, but seeds of 

 melons, corn, and other things which are so hard 

 to judge, and of which there are such a variety of 

 poor ones, will be likely to pay handsomely for the 

 trouble. 



For the first two or three days after sowing seed, 

 they should be kept in the shade. After that 

 they may be placed in the sunlight when the rays 

 of the sun acting on the thoroughly moistened 

 soil will hasten germination. 



