THE USE OF WATER IN COMMERCIAL GARDENING. 

 By H. M. Howard, West Newton, Mass. 



Given before the Society, January 15, 1910. 



Water is the great essential to all plant growth. No growth 

 whatever can go on long without the necessary amount of water 

 being present. Not even a seed will germinate without water. 

 We may have conditions of heat, light, and air favorable but if 

 conditions of moisture are unfavorable there will be poor germina- 

 tion or none at all. 



Too much water with a low temperature will cause seed to spoil. 

 Very careful attention is needed to get a good germination of seed 

 under glass. The ground should be thoroughly wet and allowed 

 to stand a few days, two or three, then dug over and made fine. 

 The seed is then sown and pressed firmly into the soil. Proper 

 temperatures for germination vary with varieties. 



The closer the seed is to the soil the more readily it will absorb 

 water. The soil may be made firm over the seed by use of hoe, 

 spade, or board. In outdoor work the roller is often a great help. 



The seed properly sown and covered will begin at once to absorb 

 water and continue to do so till germination is complete. If for 

 any cause there is a lack of moisture the germination will be un- 

 satisfactory no matter how favorable the other conditions are. 



The firming of the surface does not increase the amount of water 

 in the soil. It does increase the capillarity of the surface soil so 

 that enough water can be brought up from below to germinate 

 the seed. 



I have seen large fields of lettuce and onions where the germina- 

 tion was very poor simply because seeding was delayed until the 

 surface soil particles were too dry to pack closely enough to promote 

 good capillarity. 



A difference of a few hours will often make a "Teat difference in 



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