SEEDAGE. 



j. Glass-covered seed-case. 



A thin covering of fine moss is sometimes given, or a news- 

 paper may be thrown over the soil. 



In outdoor culture, only a naturally dry and well-drained 

 soil should be chosen for 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 val- 

 uable for this purpose. 



To prevent drying in outdoor 

 culture, it is important that the earth 



be well firmed over the seeds. Walking on the row, placing 

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

 expeditious and satisfactory operation, at least with large 

 seeds. Or the earth may be firmed with a hoe or the 

 back of a spade, or a board may be placed upon the row 

 and then be thoroughly settled by walking over it. For 

 small lots of seeds, it is well to cover them with an inverted 

 flower-pot (Fig. 4), exercising care to tilt it frequently to 

 prevent the plants from "drawing." 

 In the sowing of celery and other 

 small and slow seeds, it is a frequent 

 practice to leave the board on 

 row until the seeds appear, 

 in order to hold the mois- 

 ture. This is a doubtful ex- 

 pedient, however, for the 

 young plants are apt to be 

 quickly dispatched by the 

 sun when the board is removed. If the board is employed, 

 it should be raised an inch or two from the ground as 

 soon as the plants begin to appear. But the shade of the 

 beard is too dense, and plants do not grow stocky under 

 it. It is better to use brush or lath screens if protection 

 is desired ; or fine litter, if free from weed seeds, may be 

 used. In most cases, however, screens will not be needed, 



the 



4. Seeds covered with flower-pot. 



