6 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



hold the frost as long as possible. Early in spring they 

 are planted without separating from the sand. 



At the South the dry seed is soaked for a longer period, 

 with frequent changes of water to prevent fermentation, 

 and they are kept moist until they are planted. But the 

 writer's 'observation has favored the belief that this plan 

 does not give as perfect a stand as the one of soaking and 

 freezing practised at the North. 



The dry small-fruit seed is soaked about the time of 

 planting until most of the seeds change color with frequent 

 changes of water. Some garden-seeds, such as onion and 

 parsnip, are usually soaked before planting to hasten 

 germination, giving less trouble in weeding. But all 

 small seeds and indeed all seeds when soaked must be 

 planted in moist earth. When the surface is dry, if the 

 seeds come in contact with dry earth they will dry up and 

 usually fail to germinate. 



Hard, bony seed, such as honey locust, black locust, 

 Kentucky coffee-tree, and canna, when dry and hard will 

 endure soaking in scalding-hot water without injury if not 

 placed on the stove. When ready to plant they will swell 

 perceptibly and change to a lighter color. The swelled 

 seeds can be sifted out and the dark ones can be re-scalded. 

 Seeds treated in this way must be planted at once in moist 

 earth. In place of scalding, water is often introduced 

 beneath the dry shell of canna and moonflower by filing 

 or boring the hard covering. 



7. Fall Planting of Seeds. Planting some of the bony- 

 shelled seeds in autumn answers well the purpose of strati- 

 fication if properly managed. If planted at proper depth 

 for germination, they are apt to be thrown out by winter 

 and early spring frosts. They are also apt to be eaten by 

 birds, mice, or other vermin, and in spring the soil is 

 baked over them, giving most unfavorable conditions for 



