50 HORTICULTURE FOR SCHOOLS 



68. Planting seeds. While proper depth of planting 

 depends on the soil and kind of seed, as a general rule it is 

 safe to plant seeds at a depth four times as great as their 

 diameter. They must be deep enough to escape drying out, 

 but should not be so deep as to have difficulty in forcing their 

 tops through the soil. 



Seeds may be planted in the greenhouse, in boxes known as 

 flats, in hotbeds, or in the field. If flats are used, they should 

 not be too large. Flats 3 to 5 inches high, 12 inches wide, 

 and 18 inches long are convenient to handle. Another 

 satisfactory size is3xl8x!8 inches. It is advisable to put 

 some gravel in the bottom of the flats to provide drainage. 

 The remainder of the box should be filled with garden loam. 

 A good soil for this purpose is made by mixing leaf -mold or 

 rich loam with clean sand in about equal proportions, to 

 which is sometimes added 1 or 2 per cent of ground bone. 

 Seeds are planted at the proper depths in the flats. Very 

 small seeds, like those of the petunia, may be sown upon a 

 thin layer of powdered sphagnum moss placed upon the 

 surface of the soil in the flats. 



Seeds are frequently planted in hotbeds (see Plate I). 

 Here heat is furnished by fermenting material placed in the 

 ground. Usually a hole is dug about two and one-half feet 

 deep and of an area equal to the size of the desired hotbed. 

 Into this is put horse-manure and grass, which are kept moist 

 and allowed to ferment for a few days until the temperature 

 goes down to a safe point. TJien the hole is filled with soil 

 and the seeds planted. Over the bed is placed a frame with 

 a glass covering. 



A good sandy soil thoroughly cultivated and leveled is 

 best for seeds which are to be planted in the open. The 

 seeds are planted at the proper depth in rows and covered 

 with soil. After the seeds are planted, the soil, unless 

 heavy, should be compacted with the foot, board, or roller 

 in order to bring the seed in contact with the moisture. 



