ON THE SOWING OF SEED 



without this immediate connection, the young 

 sprout cannot grow, but will wither and die. 

 Planted in loose soil, the seed may lie in a space 

 between two particles of soil, very tiny, but to the 

 little hair-like roots a veritable cavern, through 

 which they will grope in vain for food and moist- 

 ure. When the earth is pressed firmly about the 

 seed it comes in immediate contact at every point, 

 and can at once, when germination takes place, 

 lay hold upon the earth and grow. 



It is not well to plant seed, especially that which 

 is only lightly covered, just before a hard rain, 

 but a gentle rain is a distinct advantage. In the 

 small home garden the delay of a day or two in 

 the planting is not often the cause of serious loss, 

 though it may well be of moment to the commer- 

 cial gardener. It is much more important that it 

 shall not be gotten into the ground too soon than 

 that it shall not be planted too late. To be sure, if 

 one has an abundance of seed and does not care 

 for the labour involved, then the chances of getting 

 an early crop by early planting may be worth 

 while. But as a general thing, seed planted when 

 the soil has become warm and the nights are warm, 



will make enough more rapid growth to more than 



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