How to Succeed with Seeds 43 



Care of the Seedlings 



Immediately the little seedlings break through 

 the soil they must be given light. They should 

 also get plenty of fresh air. During this period 

 give water with the greatest care, using a fine 

 hose or spray, watering early in the morning on 

 bright days only, so that the leaves and surface 

 of the soil can dry off before night. Better still, 

 use the watering tray previously described. 

 Damping-off is a troublesome disease which 

 may appear at this stage. It causes the sudden 

 wilt and death and rotting of the young plants. 

 For treatment see Chapter IX. If the little seed- 

 lings come up so thick that they begin to crowd 

 right at the start, don't hesitate to thin them 

 out; remembering that a couple of dozen good 

 plants are far better than a hundred or more 



It is important to transplant the seedlings immediately when they are 

 ready. Those at the left (above) have been left too long. Those at 

 right are barely big enough. But (see next illustration) 



