LUTHER BURBANK 



this is often added ten per cent, finely powdered 

 moss or peat. These mixtures, with the addition 

 of about one or two per cent, of fine ground bone 

 meal or superphosphate, make soils in which 

 seeds of almost any kind of plants from any part 

 of the earth will germinate. Seedlings thrive in 

 this soil until they are ready for transplanting. 



If seeds of choice plants are to be grown, the 

 soil is sterilized by a thorough scalding to destroy 

 any fungus or insect pests. 



Usually we find it suits the plants better if a 

 part of the soil last prepared is left over for use 

 with the new mixture, like yeast for a loaf of 

 bread, and I always prefer to have a little of the 

 old on hand for this purpose. 



Common sharp sand, if the right texture can 

 be obtained, is far better for cuttings than the soil 

 just described. The sand found along creek or 

 river banks is generally free from injurious insects 

 or fungous diseases. But for rare cuttings and very 

 choice seeds, this should be rinsed by pouring 

 large quantities of water through it, at the same 

 time stirring or jarring the material. 



In filling the boxes, coarse gravel, such as will 

 just pass through a half-inch mesh, or a little 

 smaller, is placed one-quarter to one-half inch 

 deep over the bottom of the box. This ensures 

 perfect drainage and sufficient aeration, both of 



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