CARE OF SEEDLINGS. 



DISEASES AND INJURIES. 



All conifers, and some broadleaf species, while in the seed beds are 

 subject to ""damping off." a This disease is very prevalent and often 

 destroys a large per cent of the seedlings. It is caused by a fungus 

 which attacks the young plants near the surface of the ground, causing 

 them to wilt and die. 



To prevent or check this disease, if it should become prevalent, it is 

 necessary to adhere closely to the rules for regulating shade, watering, 

 cultivating, etc. Dry sand, charcoal, or fine gravel spread on the beds 

 will often check the trouble. 



WATERING. 



The proper application of water to the seed beds before and after 

 germination is particularly important. The following rules should 

 govern the watering, making due allowance for local factors, such as 

 altitude, local showers, etc.: 



(1) The soil should be kept uniformly moist through the germina- 

 tion period. From the time the seed is sown until the seedlings are 

 a week or ten days old, water should be applied frequently, though not 

 excessively, since excessive watering will cause " damping off." 



(2) After the seedlings have been up for ten days or two weeks, 

 water should be applied less frequently, though the soil should never 

 be dry enough to powder when dug up with the fingers. 



(3) The soil should be thoroughly wet to a good depth at each water- 

 ing, since one proper application of water is far more beneficial than a 

 dozen improper ones. Water should be applied with a sprinkling pot 

 or hose nozzle. Irrigation by flooding or by running water through 

 ditches or paths is usually not advisable, and if practiced great care 

 should be taken not to keep the ground too wet. 



(4) Watering should be done early in the morning or late in the 

 afternoon. Under no circumstances should water be applied during 

 the middle of the day, unless it is cloudy and there is prospect for 

 continued cloudiness throughout the day. 



REGULATING SHADE. 



(1) Shade frames should be allowed to remain over the seed beds at 

 all times except during damp, cloudy days following rain. 



(2) In localities where heavy rains are followed by high temperature, 

 the frames should be raised or removed as soon as the sunshine dis- 

 appears from the seed beds, and kept so until the sun appears the 

 following morning. This should not be neglected, since proper drying 

 and airing of the soil after rain checks "damping off." If water has 

 been applied excessively the instructions just given for drying out the 

 soil should be followed. 



For a complete discussion of this disease, see p. 49, Bui. 29, "The Forest Nursery." 



