THE SEED 41 



folds of cloth suspended on rods which rest on this ledge. 

 The water is carried to the seed through capillarity. A pane 

 of glass is usually placed over the tester after the seed have 

 been arranged. 



Seed Bed. — In the growing' of plants a good seed bed is 

 absolutely essential and is a very important adjunct to the 

 successful manipulation of the plants. 



If the seed bed is improperly prepared, the subsequent 

 growth of the plants is often retarded. The soil, how- 

 ever, is one of the most important parts of the seed bed, 

 and the following points should be given considerable atten- 

 tion before the selection is made: (1) The soil should be 

 possessed with the power of holding water; (2) the soil 

 should be such as to maintain the proper degree of heat; (3) 

 the seed bed should be well drained; (4) the soil must never 

 be allowed to get too wet. If any of these factors are 

 neglected, the efficiency of the seed bed is reduced. Attention 

 should be given to all of these points, with the view of making 

 them as near perfect as it is possible to do. The seed need 

 constant watching and careful attention. The soil, if possible, 

 should be kept a few degrees warmer than the air, and should 

 be uniform in moisture. Cold air should be avoided. 



Soil for the Seed Bed. — The soil should be carefully selected 

 and an attempt made to bring it into the best possible shape. 

 Experienced growers know that the choice of soil depends 

 not so much upon the nutritive substances it contains but 

 upon its physical properties, its power of retaining water and 

 its porosity. In the sowing of seed we are not limited to 

 any special soil but may select practically any type having 

 good physical qualities. Experience has taught us that 

 seed of certain species will do better in some special soils. 

 A light sandy soil will probably make the best seed bed for 

 all general purposes, since it has a large number of good 

 qualities. For some seed a muck or a peat soil is considered 

 excellent. Such a soil is very easily handled, and is well 

 suited for seed of a great number of plants. By a little expe- 

 rience, one can judge a good soil by its appearance. If the 

 soil is too heavy, it can be made lighter by the addition of the 

 right proportion of some lighter soil, such as sand or by the 



