SEEDAGE. H 



tively short time. It is not good practice to soak delicate seeds 

 before sowing, and it is of doubtful utility in most other cases, 

 unless it is necessary to soften the integuments of hard-shelled 

 species, as discussed on page 17. The gain in rapidity of germin- 

 ation following soaked, as compared with dry seeds, is really 

 fictitious, inasmuch as germination actually begins in the soaked 

 seeds before the dry samples are sown. The soaked seeds are 

 sown in water rather than in soil, and as conditions are more 

 uniform there, a gain apparently due to soaking may result. In 

 the case of strong seeds which must be planted out-doors in 

 cold or uncongenial soil, a preliminary soaking of from 12 to 24 

 hours may be beneficial, as it lessens the period which the seeds 

 would otherwise pass in untoward conditions. But soaked seeds, 

 unless of very hardy species, should never be sown out-doors 

 until the soil has become rather dry and warm. 



To prevent too rapid drying out, the soil should be firmly 

 pressed about the seeds. The pot or box should be given 

 a shady place, or some covering may be applied to check 

 evaporation. A pane of glass is often placed over the box, 

 being tilted a little at intervals to allow of ventilation and 

 to prevent the soil from becoming soggy or "sour." A -seed- 

 case, with a glass cover, as shown in Fig. 2, 

 is neat and handy in the treatment of small 

 seeds. A thin covering of fine moss is some- 

 times given, or a newspape'r may be thrown 

 over the soil. 



In out-door culture, only a naturally dry 

 and well drained soil should be chosen for 

 Fig. 2. Seed-Case, all ordinary seeds, especially for such as are 

 sown in the fall or remain in the ground a 

 long time before germinating. Soils which contain a liberal 

 amount of sand or gravel are especially valuable for this 

 purpose. 



To prevent drying in out-door culture, it is important that the 

 earth be well firmed over the seeds. Walking on the row, plac- 

 ing one foot directly ahead of the other, is usually the most 

 expeditious and satisfactory operation, at least with large seeds. 



