0008 



GUIDE. 



Soaking, an acclaimed touchstone, is of doubtful value. Seeds already depleted of 

 reproductive energy won't do any better under water. 



Many seeds whose germ is enclosed in a hard capsule, like those of the 

 Rubiaceae, lose their ability to germinate shortly after they ripen. Others that contain 

 natural oils that spoil readily and react with the germ, such as those in the laurel and 

 myrtle family, have a similar problem. There are still others like buckthorns whose seeds 

 are very hard and that further harden while drying, so that if one waits until spring to 

 plant them, their germination will be delayed for a whole year. These difficulties can be 

 overcome by planting or stratifying such seeds immediately after they are fully ripe. 



STRATIFICATION. 



Stratification consists of placing the seeds one wishes to preserve in sand or in 

 earth beds within containers. The earth or the sand in this case should not be too dry nor 

 too moist. If too dry, it will absorb moisture from the seeds; if too moist, the seeds will 

 rot or germinate at an inopportune time for the growth of the young plant. Stratification is 

 performed shortly after the seeds ripen; the containers holding them should be sheltered 

 from rain and hard frosts. At the onset of spring, the seeds are removed from their 

 containers and placed in the ground. 



