THE PKOPAUATION OF PLANTS 135 



'2b. The raisimj of seedlings 



2'J2. Tho 'u\o'd\ soil in which to plant seeds is 

 loose and friable, does not "l)ake,'' and is reten- 

 tive of moisture. It is neitht'i- hard day nor 

 loose sand. 



'Jl23. The looser the soil, the deeper the seeds 

 may be planted, since the plantlets can easily 

 push throui^h tiir eai-tli ; and the deeper the 

 planting the more uiiit'orm is the moisture. For 

 set^ls of medium size and of strong germinating 

 power, — as wheat, cabbage, apple, — a quarter or 

 half inch is sufficient depth. In order to secure 

 moisture about the seeds, the earth should l)e 

 firme<l or packed over them, i)artieularly in a dry 

 time ; i)ut this sm-faee earth is moist because 

 water is jiassimr through it into the air (lO.'J, 

 104). 



-2\. The smaller the seed, the shallower 

 -ijiould it be .sown, as a rule, .iiid the greater 

 should be the care in sowing. \"ery small seeds, 

 as those of begonia, should be merely jtressed 

 into the earth, and tlie sin-face is then kept 

 moist by shading, laying on a paper, eloth or 

 irlass, or by very <'arefnl watering. Melicate 

 seeds are often sown on the surfa<'e of well-lirme<l 

 soil, and are then lightly covered by sifting s(»il 

 '•r dry moss over them. Ke.'p them shaded until 

 irermination is well i.»rogressed. 



