THE SEED, GERMINATION AND THE PLANTLET 21 



or fungi, and the plantlet probably loses vigor by too slow 

 development. Weeds may also be gaining a start if 

 germination is delayed. We should, therefore, treat 

 both the seed and the soil in the way that favors prompt 

 germination. 



33. Compacting the soil about planted seeds hastens 

 germination by multiplying their points of contact with 

 the moist earth (27). When the soil is becoming drier 

 day by day, as it often is in spring, compacting the soil 

 about planted seeds materially hastens their germination 

 and often secures germination which without the com- 

 pacting might be indefinitely postponed. The hoe, the 

 feet, a board or the hand or horse roller may be used 

 to compact soil over planted seeds. It is a good plan 

 to loosen the surface of the soil after compacting so as 

 to conserve the soil moisture as much as possible. 



34. Warm soil. — Planting should be deferred until 

 the soil becomes warm. Seeds cannot germinate promptly 

 until the temperature of the soil in which they are planted 

 approaches the optimum for their germination (30) during 

 the warmer part of the day, and germination is promoted 

 little, if at all, by planting before this time. 



35. Soaking seeds. — Germination may be hastened 

 by soaking seeds before planting. Since seeds cannot 

 germinate until nearly or quite saturated with water (29), 

 and since they absorb water faster from a very wet than 

 from a damp medium (27), and in a warm than in a 

 cool temperature (27), we may hasten germination a little 

 if the soil to receive the seeds is only slightly moist, by 

 soaking the seeds before planting in warm or slightly hot 

 water until they have swollen. This method is sometimes 

 practiced by gardeners with sweet corn and certain other 

 seeds, and its use might possibly be extended with profit. 



