126 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



Over the crocks some rough soil may be placed, next a layer of 

 sifted soil, and finally a sprinkling of fine sandy soil the final 

 layer not to be higher than an inch and a half from the rim of 

 the pan. If the soil is at all dry it is a good plan next to dip the 

 pan in tepid water. It is better both now and during the early 

 stages of the seedlings' career to water by immersion than by 

 applying moisture from the top by the aid of a water-can, no 

 matter how fine the rose may be. The use of the water-can must 

 inevitably disturb the soil and swamp the tiny seedlings, and this 

 spells certain disaster. 



All is now in readiness for sowing the seed. Care must be taken 

 to distribute it over the surface of the sandy soil as evenly as 

 possible. This can best be done by placing a small quantity of 

 fine sand in a saucer and mixing the seed with it. It should 

 then be turned out on a piece of paper as shown in Figure 4, and 

 gently tapped at the bottom with a stick so that the contents may 

 fall evenly on the soil. Or, to make assurance doubly sure, the mix- 

 ture can be placed in an old sugar-castor and the contents shaken 

 out over the pan. The finest seeds will need no covering of soil. 

 All that is necessary is to conserve the moisture and exclude the 

 light until germination is well on the way. This can best be done 

 by means of a sheet of glass placed over the pan. Air need not 

 be rigidly excluded, but light must be at first, and this can be done 

 by the use of a piece of brown paper placed over the glass. 



It will be seen that attention to small details is essential to 

 success, and this is equally important through all stages of the 

 seedlings' career. The after-treatment consists chiefly in supply- 

 ing the necessary moisture and ventilation. 



Here comes the tussle, and it is at this point that disaster 

 dogs the steps of not a few amateurs who essay the task of bringing 

 tiny seedlings to maturity. First and foremost among their 

 difficulties is that associated with the supply of moisture to the 

 young plants. They either allow the soil to become too dry, and 

 thus cause the roots of the tiny seedlings to shrivel at their birth, 

 or they pour water over them from a watering-pot and wash them 

 out of the soil. After the seedlings have made their appearance 



