CHAPTER II. 

 SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. 



PROVIDING MATERIALS. 



It is a simple matter to provide the seeds required for the work of 

 this chapter, but there may be some diiificulty in growing the seedlings 

 on account of laclc of space and equipment. If a greenhouse cannot be 

 used, some arrangement must be made for growing the seedlings in a 

 warm room. Boxes should be made not more than six inches deep, 

 and white pine sawdust, or chopped sphagnum when obtainable, should 

 be placed in these to a depth of four inches. If the classes are large 

 and the space which can be devoted to seed boxes very limited, they 

 may be placed one above another in tiers separated by a space of about 

 ten inches. Moisten the sawdust throughout and then plant the seeds 

 to a depth of about one inch in rows between two and three inches 

 apart. After covering the seeds, press the sawdust down firmly with 

 the palm of the hand or with a wooden block. The seeds will germi- 

 nate more quickly if soaked in water over night before planting. The 

 first sowings should be made about two weeks before the work is to 

 begin, and then other sowings of the same kinds of seeds at intervals 

 of a few days, in order that plenty of seedlings may be on hand in dif- 

 ferent stages of germination. The seeds need to be kept warm and 

 well watered, but it is not necessary that they should have light until 

 they have germinated ; after that time the seedlings will grow weak 

 and spindling if too much shaded. 



OBSERVATIONS ON SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. 



Lima Bean. 



I. Make drawings of the external appearance of a dry 

 bean from the two most important pomts of view, showing 

 all structural characteristics. Make drawings to the scale, 



S 



