GROWTH FROM SEED IN OPEN GROUND. 159 



lighter firming. The reason for firming is the restoration 

 of capillarity to the loose layer, consequently adequate 

 moisture supply to the germinating seed. But when this 

 capillarity has served its purpose and the root has pene- 

 trated the permanently moist layers below, this capillarity 

 must be destroyed by cultivation and the surface layer 

 again loosened so that it will not transmit moisture. There- 

 fore, as prescribed in the chapter on Cultivation, the hoe 

 or cultivator must be started as soon as the young plants 

 can be seen, and in some larger seeds where the firmed 

 layer has been crusted by a shower a light harrowing or 

 raking may be desirable to release the shoots from the too 

 compact covering which has come over them. 



Third : Soil opening. The converse of firming the soil 

 about the seed is drying of the surface soil when unex- 

 pectedly heavy rains have come and the water does not 

 percolate rapidly enough to bring the surface layer into 

 good condition for growth. In such an event seed can 

 often be saved from rotting by the light raking or har- 

 rowing or cutting with a disc, to allow the air to assist 

 drainage in relieving the surface layer of its excess. The 

 wisdom of this course is always conditioned upon the 

 character of the soil. A sticky soil would be more harmed 

 than the seed would be helped by it. 



Fourth : Mulching. The use of a light mulch of chaff 

 or corral-scrapings or rotten straw or other fine, loose 

 material is of value in garden practice of it does not occa- 

 sion too great cost or labor to procure or prepare it. The 

 larger the seed the thicker the layer may safely be, and 

 with the mulch, shallower planting, and probably quicker 

 germination, is possible. The mulch lessens evaporation 

 from the surface and thus gives the seed a surer supply; 

 it also prevents puddling of the soil surface by pelting 

 rain drops and keeps the particles both moist and loose 

 for the thrust of the shoot. A mulch also makes it much 

 safer to sprinkle the bed if rains delay. In garden prac- 

 tice it can hardly be too highly commended. On heavy 



