SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS 



To a certain extent plants may be developed 

 that are resistant also to the attacks of insect 

 pests. But it is necessary to guard the tender 

 seedlings against the attacks of these enemies. 

 One should be on the lookout from the outset for 

 the various cohorts of insects, slugs, cutworms, 

 eel-worms, crickets, and aphides that feast on 

 tender tissues of seedlings. 



Slugs may sometimes be headed off by sprin- 

 kling lime, red pepper, quassia, or tobacco dust in 

 their path. 



The pests known as the thrips and the aphides 

 are best destroyed by fumigating the greenhouse 

 once or twice a month with tobacco smoke. In 

 general a careful watch should be kept for the 

 pests, and the seedlings mechanically guarded 

 against them so far as possible. The proper 

 sterilization of the soil at the outset will save a 

 vast deal of trouble at a later stage. 



The description just given outlines the method 

 that Mr. Burbank applies to the seeds that come 

 to him from all parts of the world and to those 

 raised on his own grounds. 



The rules just given for the planting of seeds 

 and the early care of seedlings apply to plants 

 of every description. Whatever the varieties with 

 which you intend to experiment, flowers, vege- 

 tables, small fruits, orchard fruits, or forest 

 trees, the initial steps are the same. 



[55] 



