STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 103 



seed-bed should be made very fine and well, but not very highly 

 enriched with thoroughlv decayed fertilizers. 



TEMPERATURE. 



The temperature which the seed box is to be given is an impor- 

 tant matter and a mistake at this point may easily ruin the whole 

 enterprise. As almost all seed packets have printed directions for 

 treatment including temperature, etc., a little at'ention to those 

 cannot fail to put one upon the right track in this matter. Of course 

 we cannot expect to be very minute in our management in regard 

 to temperature, but it will be sufficient to divide our seeds into two 

 or three classes according to the degree of warmth required for 

 healthy germination and then give them conditions accordingl}'. 



Pansies germinate freely and vigorously only at a very moderate 

 temperature. The aster and pink do well at medium degrees while 

 the portulaca requires a very warm situation for germination. Sit- 

 uations favorable to each of thtse classes may be found in almost 

 every kitchen or sitting room. 



Seeds demanding little warmth may be placed remote from the 

 fire and on or near the fioor, while the highest available amount of 

 heat may be found near the stove or register and near the ceiling. 

 These positions are suggested only to secure proper germination and 

 natuial and quick germination insures vigorous and healthy plants 

 from the start. 



WATERING. 



Many have experienced difficult^' in properly watering their seed 

 beds previous to germination when the seeds contained therein were 

 so delicate and therefore so lightly covered that they were liable to 

 be washed out by the most careful watering. To guard against this 

 danger and also to save unnecessary watering it is suggested that 

 p.eces of cloth be cut exactly the size of the seed box inside and 

 carefully laid over the earth after planting, and over this protection 

 water may be quite carelessly turned and allowed to soak as it may. 

 This serves to protect the seeds and also to check evaporation. We 

 find for this purpose pieces of burlap such as may be obtained by 

 cutting up bran sacks, just the thing for covering the boxes. 



