SEEDS AND SEEDING IO9 



planted deeper than those like the bean, melon and 

 squash which pull the entire seed up through the 

 soil in germination. . Large seeds, generally speak- 

 ing, may be planted comparatively deep, while many 

 of the smaller ones must be scarcely covered at all. 

 Whatever the depth of planting, it is to be remem- 

 bered that the object in view is to cover the seed 

 only deep enough to secure the proper amount of 

 moisture for germination. For the most part the 

 tendency is to plant too deep rather than too shal- 

 low, especially in the early part of the season when 

 moisture is usually present in abundant quantities. 

 The importance of compacting the soil over the 

 seed can hardly be overestimated, and all mechan- 

 ical seeding devices of the present day are pro- 

 vided with various wheels and compressors for this 

 purpose. Where hand' sowing is followed some 

 direct method of compacting the soil about the seed 

 is usually necessary for the best results. 



In order to shorten the time during which the 

 seed must remain in the soil and in some cases gain 

 somewhat in the maturity of the crop, the seeds 

 are soaked in clear water before planting. This 

 practice, however, is of doubtful value in a commer- 

 cial way, although something may be said in its 

 favor where the seeds are planted by hand. Soak- 

 ing in most cases softens the seed to such an extent 

 that they are likely to be injured somewhat by the 

 planting machines. 



For the most part vegetable seeds are sown by 

 means of the modern seed drills. These have been 

 perfected to such a state that they do almost ideal 

 work, dropping the seeds evenly and uniformly, 

 regulating the depth as desired for all kinds and 

 classes of seed and compacting the soil properly 



