-4— 



You must see by this time that it would hardly be 

 wise to plant a large field with one or many varieties of 

 seeds without knowing first whether the seeds are in 

 prime growing condition and likely to produce high 

 grade plants. A simple little seed tester that you may 

 like to use for testing your own garden seeds is made as 

 follows: Take an old table plate that is not cracked or 

 broken. From thick cloth cut two circular pieces the 

 size of the plate. Dip them in water and wring out 

 most of the water. Spread them on the plate and be- 

 tween them put some of the seeds from the lot you wish 

 to test. Cover the plate with a pane of glass or another 

 plate and place in a living room comfortably warm. The 

 glass cover prevents the moisture from evaporating. Ex- 

 amine the seeds frequently and record the number that 

 fail to sprout. There is of course great difference in the 

 length of time it takes different kinds of seed to germi- 

 nate. 



After the seed has been tested and found satisfac- 

 tory, the soil which shall have been crumbled thoroughly 

 is to be pressed down firmly over the seeds; only a thin 

 covering of soil is usually better than a heavy layer. The 

 soil should be patted or rolled close about the seeds be- 

 cause they cannot absorb moisture so well if they only 

 touch the soil at a few points. This soil should not be 

 muddy or the oxygen will not be able to penetrate it and 

 reach the seeds, for they need air just as we do. Seeds 

 having very hard coats will germinate sooner if put in 

 warm water and allowed to soak for a day or two. Seeds 

 should be sown at the time stated by the seedsman of 

 whom they are bought. 



MULTIPLICATION BY SUCKEES, STOLONS AND LAYERS. 



After you have become skillful in growing plants 

 from seed you will be interested in trying some of the 



