40 



THE NURSERY-MANUAL 



sort of stratification. A favorite method is to place them in 

 boxes or jars, mixed with naturally moist sand or sawdust, 

 or slightly moist dead sphagnum moss. Some persons prefer 

 to seal the packages hermetically, but under ordinary con- 

 ditions this is unnecessary. In transit, the packages should 

 be stored in a medium and uniform temperature. Even acorns, 

 which are often difficult to transport over long voyages, may 

 be carried in this way with safety. It is important that the 

 soil should not be wet. Natural soil from a dryish and loamy 

 pasture is excellent. 



In some cases it is better to sprout the seeds in the native 

 country and ship the seedlings in a closed or Wardian case. 



Soil diseases: sterilizing 



The gardener must always be on the lookout for the rotting- 

 off of seedlings. This damping-off is a common ailment of 

 young seedlings and cuttings. Usually the stem becomes 

 brown and constricted at or near the surface of the ground, and 

 it soon rots and falls over. The top of the plant often remains 

 alive and fresh for several days after it has fallen. Various 

 fungi are concerned in this and similar disorders. The con- 

 ditions which seem particularly to favor the development of 

 fl these fungi are a 



moist and close 

 atmosphere, crowd- 

 ing, and careless 

 watering. Plants 

 are supposed to be 

 particularly liable 

 to damp-off if so 

 much water is ap- 

 . plied as to keep 



A sterilizing box or tray, made of matched , 



boards. the surface con- 



FIG. 21. 



