SEEDAGE. 



which has previously been well firmed and leveled, and then 

 covered with a very thin layer of finely silted soil or a little 

 old and dead moss rubbed through a sieve. This covering 

 should be scarcely deeper than the thickness of the seeds ; 

 that is. the seeds should be barely covered. Many prefer 

 pressing the seeds into the soil with a block. Or if one has 

 a close propagating-box, the seeds may remain upon the 

 surface and sufficient moisture will be supplied from the 

 atmosphere. Such fine seeds are rarely watered directly, as 

 even the most careful treatment would be likely to dislodge 

 them. The soil is usually well watered before the seeds are 

 sown, or moisture may be supplied by inserting the pot in 

 water nearly to its rim for a few minutes. If water is applied 

 fri_im a rose, a thin cloth should first be S|iread on tlie soil to 

 hold it. Celery seeds, in outdoor beds, are often sown upon 

 a smoothly prejiared surface and are then pressed in by 

 means of the feet or a board. Some cover to prevent evapo- 

 ration should be gi\-en all small seeds. This may be a board 

 or a slate slab at first, but as soon as the |ilants appear 

 glass should be substituted to admit light. I .See pp. 3 to 7. ) 



Large seeds demand much less care as to deptli of cover- 

 ing, as a rule. One-fourth or one-half inch is a good depth 

 for most coarse seeds indoors. If one wishes to gauge the 

 depth accurately, the drills maybe made by a planting stick, 

 like that shown in Fig. 16, Its Hange is made of the required 

 thickness, and it is jiressed into the soil until the cap strikes 

 the surface. This is a useful implement in seed-testing. 

 Another device for regulating the depth of sowing, par- 

 ticularly in seed-testing, is 

 the Tracy planter, shown in 

 ~ Fig. 17 It consists of tuo 

 strips of hea\y tin plate 

 about three inches wide, 

 hung upon two wire pivots 

 or hinges some two inches 

 At their up|)er etlges. and equidistant fri^aii eitlier 

 the plates are joined by a firm spiral spruig. 



16. Planting Uick. 



Ions 

 end 



