CHAPTER V. 

 SEED SOWING. 



The condition for the successful germination of seed in 

 the land is that it should be placed so as to have a reason- 

 able amount of heat, moisture and air. To secure these con- 

 ditions in practice, the seed should be imbedded in mellow 

 soil, and this packed around it just firm enough to bring it in- 

 to actual contact and make sure of capillary action in the 

 soil. If the soil is left loose over and around the seed, 

 capillary action cannot continue, and the seed is liable to dry 

 out unless the season is very wet: on the other hand, the soil 

 must not be allowed to become too compact over the seed, or 

 the young seedling will not be able to push throught it. No 

 matter how carefully the sowing may have been done, the suc- 

 cessful germination of the seed is largely dependent upon the 

 condition of the ground. Unless the seed is carefully and 

 properly placed and covered, the crop cannot get a good start, 

 no matter how well the land has been prepared or how good 

 the seed is. Seeds will not sprout in the absence of air, 

 and on this account when deeply buried some weed seeds may 

 retain their germinating power for many years. Cases are 

 on record of yellowmustard seeds germinating after remaining 

 in the land for eighteen years. Very frequently, on plow- 

 ing land that has not been stirred for a long time, the weeds of 

 certain kinds are very abundant, showing that they must have 

 been in the soil a long time but could not germinate away 

 from the air. 



Depth to Plant. Most of the common, smaller garden seeds 

 are planted one inch deep, except celery and some others. 

 Peas and corn, are generally planted from two to three inches 

 deep. Peas, however, are sometimes planted as deep as six 

 inches. These matters will be found referred to under their 

 respective heads. 



Always sow in freshly stirred ground, as the seed is far 



