62 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS. 



Seeds with considerable fibrous covering or appendages are assisted by 

 soaking before planting so that this absorbent material may not take too 

 much moisture from the adjacent soil to accomplish its softening. In such 

 cases soaking in lukewarm water for several hours is desirable. Very hard 

 seeds, like those of the accacia and locust trees and some herbaceous 

 legumes and other plants, are greatly hastened by scalding actually boiling 

 water does not injure the germ and admits needed moisture to entrance by 

 disintegrating the horny covering. 



Damping-off. There is apt to be great loss of promising seedlings 

 both in the open ground and in seed under cover, by action of a fungus 

 causing what is commonly called "damping-off." This fungus usually at- 

 tacks the stem near the ground and destroys the plants, though the parts 

 above and below seem normal. The growth of this fungus is favored by 

 excess of moisture, either in the air or on the soil surface. Sometimes 

 seedlings fail because the ground is kept too wet, but in that case the root 

 fails. If the surface is too wet and the atmosphere generally too humid, 

 there comes this "damping-off." It may be produced by rather a small 

 amount of water, providing the soil is heavy and the water is not rapidly 

 absorbed and distributed. On the other hand, a lighter soil taking water 

 more easily may grow plants without damping-off, even though a great 

 deal more water has been used than on the heavier soil. Too much shade 

 which prevents the sun from drying the surface soil is also likely to produce 

 damping-off, therefore one has to provide for just the right amount of 

 shade and the right amount of ventilation through circulation of the air, 

 etc. The use of sand on the surface of a heavier soil may save plants from 

 damping-off, because the sand passes the water quickly and dries, while a 

 heavier surface soil would remain soggy. Lime may be of advantage, if 

 not used in too great quantities, because it disintegrates the surface of the 

 soil and helps to produce a dryness which is desirable. Success lies in 

 keeping the surface dry enough and yet providing the seedlings with moist- 

 ure for a free and satisfactory growth. Obviously it is safer to use more 

 water at longer intervals than to be constantly sprinkling and thus keeping 

 the surface wet. This is a matter which must be determined by experi- 

 ence and good judgment and cannot be completely covered by any formula 

 or prescription. 



The fungus can be killed in the soil by soaking it with one ounce of 

 formalin to twelve gallons of water using about three quarts to each 

 square foot by sprinkling but the amateur will succeed well enough by 

 regulating the surface moisture and air as indicated. 



