GROWTH FROM SEED IN OPEN GROUND. 157 



tables is another proposition, but field work for shipment 

 of early stuff is always attended by some risk, for the 

 grower has to venture everything on doing the best he can 

 to be safe and early, but to be early at any rate. 



Although this is true, it must always be remembered 

 that nothing is gained in working the soil or sowing the 

 seed when the soil is not in condition to work well. Some 

 results of this bad practice have been mentioned in other 

 connections and they are deplorable, especially in the 

 heavier soils. It is especially an error of judgment in seed 

 sowing to suppose that any time can be gained by sowing 

 early upon an unfit seed bed. Even if a fair stand should 

 be secured there will be handicaps upon the plants all 

 through their course, and a somewhat later planting with 

 the soil in good condition will probably surpass them both 

 in time and quality. 



There is often advantage in soaking seed overnight in 

 tepid water. The lighter the soil and the later the sowing 

 the greater benefit will accrue from this method of hasten- 

 ing germination. When the wet seed is difficult to handle, 

 or when it is to be used with a seed-drill, sift some fine 

 ashes over the seed. This will take up the surface mois- 

 ture and allow them to run through the drill easily. 



Arranging Moisture Conditions for Germination. In 

 addition to the greater undertakings described in the 

 chapters on irrigation and drainage, there are little acts 

 which are of the utmost importance in securing moisture 

 conditions favorable to germination and growth. 



First: Seed covering. Darkness is favorable to ger- 

 mination of most seeds, but covering is primarily for two 

 other purposes. One is to assist the seedling in its anchor- 

 age and root penetration, but the more important is to 

 insure it moisture. There can be no positive rule for depth 

 of sowing. Five times the diameter of the seed might do 

 at the best of the season in the best of garden soil, but this 

 depth would be too great for some seeds in some soils in 

 the rainy season and far too shallow for the same seed and 

 soil in the dry season. On all soils the rule must be shal- 



