THE NURSERY-BOOK. 



CHAPTER I. 



SEEDAGE. 



1. REQUISITES OF GERMINATION. 



There are three external requisites to the germination 

 of seeds — -moisture, free oxygen, and a definite temperature. 

 These requisites are demanded in different degrees and 

 pro])ortions by seeds of different species, or even by seeds 

 of the same species when differing widely in age or in 

 degree of maturity. The supply of oxygen usually regu- 

 lates itself It is only necessary that the seeds sliall not 

 be planted too deep, that the soil is porous and not 

 overloaded with water. Moisture and temperature, how- 

 ever, must be carefully regulated. 



Regulation of Moisture. — Moisture is tlie most important 

 factor in seedage. It is usually ap- 

 plied to the seeds by means of soil 

 or some similar medium, as moss i/* 

 or cocoanut fiber. Fresh and vig- 

 orous seeds endure heavy water- 

 ings, but old and poor seeds must 

 be given very little water. If there 

 is reason to suspect that the seeds 

 are weak, water should not be ap- 

 plied to them directly. A favorite 

 metliod of handling weak and also /. Double md put 



