CHAPTER X 



Starting Plants 



This has been the subject of a vast amount of horti- 

 cultural writing, and the practice of different grow- 

 ers, and in different sections, varies greatly. I give 

 the methods I have used successfully, together with 

 reasons for following them, but it may be well for the 

 reader to modify them to suit his own conditions and 

 requirements. 



Largest yield. — Some 45 to 50 days before plants 

 can be safely set in the open field the flats in which 

 the seed is to be sown should be filled with light, rich, 

 friable soil, it being important that its surface be made 

 perfectly level, and that it be compact and quite moist, 

 but not so wet as to pack under pressure. Sow the 

 seed in drills ^ inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart at 

 the rate of 10 to 20 to the inch ; press the soil evenly 

 over them, water and place in the shade in an even tem- 

 perature of 80 to 90° F. As soon as the seeds begin 

 to break soil, which they should do in three to four 

 days, place in full light and temperature of 75 to 80°, 

 keeping the air rather close so as to avoid necessity 

 of watering. After a few days reduce the tempera- 

 ture to about 65° and give as much air as possible. 

 Some growers press a short piece of 2-inch joist into 

 the soil of the benches, so as to form trenches 2 inches 

 wide and about ^ inch deep, and so spaced as to be 

 under the center of each row of glass, their sash being 



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