8 



oversupplying the needs of plants for moisture will prevent nearly all 

 difficulties experienced in raising them. The chief danger to young 

 seedlings arises during the first two months from their susceptibility 

 to " damping off " the name given to a fungous disease which results 

 from an excess of moisture in the soil or in the atmosphere. A large 

 number of seedlings may die from this disease in a very short time if 

 effective measures of relief are not taken. However, the amount of 

 soil moisture may easily be regulated, and wind and sunshine will 

 hasten evaporation and prevent or quickly check "damping off." In 

 wet, humid weather seedlings should not be watered and a free circu- 

 lation of air should be insured. 



Seedlings need abundant moisture for thrifty growth and should 

 usually be watered dairy. The best time for watering is in the fore- 

 noon, but not so early that any excess moisture can not be speedily 

 evaporated. The rate of growth of nursery stock may be regulated 

 by watering; plants may be forced by an abundant supply of moisture 

 or their growth may be retarded by scant watering. Just before 

 planting the amount supplied should be reduced, in order to harden 

 the plants. 



Seedlings generally come up very thick in a seed box. When they 

 have reached the height of about 2 inches, they should be taken up and 

 replanted, 100 in a box, in fresh soil, in order to give them more grow- 

 ing space. They must be handled carefully, and their roots should be 

 exposed no longer than necessary. They will wilt slightly after trans- 

 planting, but will revive if shaded and watered freely. Transplanting 

 should be done on damp, cloudy days, since seedlings wilt less on such 

 days. For a month before planting, nursery stock should be accus- 

 tomed to full sunlight by gradually removing the lath shade frames 

 under which they have been raised. 



PLANTING. 



In California the proper time to plant eucalyptus seedlings is, as has 

 been said, during the rainy season in winter and spring months. In 

 order to become firmly established young trees need abundant mois- 

 ture, so that they may be able to endure the long period of drought 

 which extends through the summer and fall. After the winter rains 

 begin, planting need be deferred only long enough to avoid the danger 

 of frost. Eucalyptus seedlings are very sensitive to frost, and on this 

 account planting must be delayed until danger from severe late frosts 

 is safely past. The proper season for planting varies in different years 

 and in different localities. On elevated situations and along the coast 

 planting may be begun early in the rainy season, while in low, frosty 

 valleys it should be delayed until the spring months. Mild, cloudy, or 

 rainy days should be selected. 



[Cir. 59] 



