7 



and procure a rapid growth of top upon a slender root, or, to use 

 a poorer soil and develop more root growth and less leaf, depend- 

 ing upon the stronger root to give the plant a better start when 

 set out in the field. It would appear that the stronger the root 

 system, the better will be the results when the seedlings are 

 transplanted. 



An open seed-bed, as is used in other countries, would prove 

 a failure in Hawaii. Insects are too numerous and the soil too 

 full of humus to stand burning. 



Two methods can be recommended. The first of these is ele- 

 vated boxes, set about 20 inches from the ground on posts, the 

 box level and projecting at least 6 inches outside the posts, 31-2 

 to 4 feet wide, 10 to 12 feet long and at least 6 inches deep. Fill 

 full with good soil, sifted to remove sticks, trash and stones, the 

 last inch being finer, so that the seed, which is very small, may 

 come in closer contact with the soil but not be covered too deeply. 

 Add a pound or two of air-slaked lime and mix well with the 

 last 2 inches of top soil filled into the boxes or beds. 



Good soil can always be distinguished by its texture. If it is 

 soft, moist, not too cold and has a velvety feel, it is good, whereas, 

 a coarse, hard, dry soil, feeling like small peas or pebbles, will 

 not hold moisture, it being too open and porous. Soil rich in 

 humus is sour and, in it, plants do not do well on this account. 

 The lime added to the top soil in the seed-bed corrects this acidity. 

 It is often a good plan to water the seed-bed with lime water, 

 even after the plants are up, but the best is to mix the lime in the 

 top soil. 



The seed-boxes, when the seeds show up, should be covered 

 with a gable-roofed frame, covered with cheese cloth or light, open 

 cotton. This cover retains the moisture, maintains a more 

 nearly uniform temperature, and wards off insects. 



The other method is to build a large cloth house, with gable 

 roof and in it, arrange the beds so as to get around among them, 

 The elevated boxes, for a few plants, are the easiest to make and 

 care for. In an excessively rainy period, the boxes do not drain 

 off the water as well as the beds and become cold and soggy. For 

 growing a large number of plants, the seed house is to be pre- 

 ferred. 



All seed boxes and beds should be sterilized, especially to kill 

 insects and their eggs. An easy way to do this is to use from 

 10 to 20 gallons of boiling water, applied as evenly and quickly 



