206 PROPAGATION BY SEEDS AND SPORES 



develop under unfavorable conditions. The more quickly 

 the seeds germinate after being sown, the more vigorous the 

 plants will be and the less trouble the cultivator will en- 

 counter from weeds. Ideal moisture conditions are sup- 

 plied by planting in a well-drained soil of good texture and 

 containing enough humus to maintain the moisture. In 

 addition the soil should be well prepared and well compacted 

 about the seeds. 



In sowing seeds out of doors, the temperature is deter- 

 mined largely by the season and by the depth of planting. 

 As a rule, seed should be sown only as deep as moisture 

 conditions require, because usually the soil at the surface 

 is warmer than that lower down. Depth of sowing is 

 also governed by the size of the seed as well as by its vitality. 

 Large, vigorous seeds can be sown deeper than small weak 

 seeds. In indoor sowing, very small seeds like begonia or 

 cineraria are simply scattered over the surface of the soil. 



A sufficient supply of oxygen is assured if the seed is 

 not planted too deep and if the soil does not become too 

 wet or puddled. To insure an even depth of planting, the 

 soil should be finely pulverized. Small weed seeds when 

 plowed under in the spring probably remain dormant 

 because of the lack of oxygen. 



Seed Storage. As seeds are living plants in a dormant 

 state, it is very essential to provide favorable external 

 conditions for their storage. All thin-coated seeds should 

 be stored in a dry place in which the temperature is 

 above freezing ; while hard-shelled seeds require moisture 

 and often freezing for ideal storage conditions. If the 

 atmosphere in a storage room for thin-coated vegetable 

 and flower seeds is damp, it should be dried by artificial 

 means. Nearly all nuts and many of our common fruits 



