THE GARDEN AT HOME 



is obvious that seedlings will come out of fairly loose soil 

 far more readily than from that which is very firm. This 

 should be thought of when preparing the seed pan ; 

 make the soil only moderately firm. 



Seeds should be sown on a flat surface, which is easily 

 ensured by lightly pressing the soil down with a piece 

 of board. Always, an hour or two before sowing the 

 seeds, give water to the soil in the pots or pans, then 

 probably none will be needed for a week. If it is, the 

 vessel should be placed in a bowl of water to about two- 

 thirds of its depth. The water will soon rise through 

 the soil and moisten the surface. This method should 

 be adopted as long as the seedlings are in the seed pan. 

 When potted off singly, it is safe as a rule to water them 

 through a " rose " on the spout of a water can. Time 

 after time I have seen seedlings killed by overhead 

 watering. The water washes them flat on the soil, and 

 there they remain soon to " damp off." To allow a pot 

 or pan full of little seedlings to become dry, or to expose 

 it to strong sunshine, is usually to kill the plants, although 

 some are hardier than others, and will withstand rougher 

 treatment. 



Golden rules to observe in seed sowing and the care 

 of seedlings under glass are these : Sow the seed on 

 moist soil in well-drained flower-pots or flower-pans 

 filled to the rim, cover with glass until germination takes 

 place, then place the seedlings near the roof glass, but 

 shaded. Do not water from above, but by standing the 



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