CHAPTER IV 

 SEED SOWING AND TRANSPLANTING 



Conditions Favoring Germination. For the successful 

 germination of seed in the soil a reasonable amount of 

 heat, moisture, and air is necessary. To secure these 

 conditions in practice, the seed should be imbedded in 

 mellow soil, and this packed around it just firm enough to 

 bring it into actual contact and make sure capillary action 

 in the soil. If the soil is left loose over and around the 

 seed capillary action can not take place and the seed is apt to 

 dry out unless the season is very wet; on the other hand, the 

 soil must not be allowed to become too compact over the 

 seed, or the young seedling will not be able to push through 

 it. No matter how carefully the sowing may have been 

 done, the successful germination of the seed is largely 

 dependent upon the condition of the ground. Unless the 

 seed is carefully and properly placed and covered, the crop 

 cannot get a good start, no matter how well the land has 

 been prepared or how good the seed is. 



Seed will not sprout in the absence of air, and on this 

 account when deeply buried some weed seeds may retain 

 their germinating power for many years. Cases are on 

 record of yellow mustard seeds germinating after remaining 

 in the land for eighteen years. Very frequently, on plow- 

 ing land that has not been stirred for a long time, the weeds 

 of certain kinds are very abundant, showing that they 

 must have been in the soil a long time, but could not 

 germinate away from the air. 



Depth to Plant. Most of the common, smaller garden 

 seeds are planted one inch deep; celery and some other 



