190 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



with the earth iu which they have lain, can be sown in 

 soil properly prepared. The larger seeds can be taken 

 from the soil and planted out in the drills at proper 

 distances. 



Seeds Must Be Sown in the Proper Manner. — 

 Seedsmen are often blamed for selling bad seed, when 

 the sole fault is with the planter. That seed may germi- 

 nate, moisture, air, and a certain degree of warmth, vary- 

 ing with each variety, are necessary. Chickweed will 

 vegetate at 32° F., but for most seeds of plants of tem- 

 perate climates the best germinating temperature is 

 about 00° F.; of half-hardy plants 70° F.; of tropical 

 plants about 80° F.; but some require 100° F. 



Light must also be excluded until the root can derive 

 nourishment from the soil. The first effect of air, heat, 

 and moisture upon the seed is to change its starchy mat- 

 ter into the proper food of the embryo. If at this time 

 the seed be withered by exposure to heat without suffi- 

 cient covering, it will perish. It often happens that seeds 

 are planted in a fresh-dug soil, and the above change in 

 the properties of the seed takes place, but the earth not 

 being pressed upon it, the seed dries up and the embryo 

 perishes. Others, again, are buried too deeply, and 

 though the seed swells, yet sufficient air and warmth are 

 not obtained to give the embryo life. The seed should 

 be just so far covered as to exclude light, and afford 

 barely sufficient moisture for its w r ants. The first thing 

 in sowing is a suitable preparation of the soil, so that 

 the young roots thrown out may easily penetrate it. It 

 must be made more or less fine for different seeds. Peas 

 and beans do not require the soil to be as finely pulverized 

 as small seeds. The seeds must also be firmly fixed in the 

 soil, and pressed by the earth in every part, in order to 

 retain moisture sufficient to encourage vegetation; but 

 they should not be so deeply buried as to be deprived of 



