SEED SOWING 
131 
ticularly in the heavier types of soil. There should be 
no unnecessary loss of moisture after spring or summer 
plowing, which can be avoided by prompt and thorough 
harrowing. When seed is to be sown rather late in the 
season the moisture can be conserved by harrowing at 
frequent intervals. Another excellent plan, although 
somewhat troublesome but practicable on a small scale, 
is to mulch the beds heavily with strawy manure, the 
coarse particles of which are removed by raking immedi- 
ately before sowing. Soils which have received heavy 
annual dressings of manure are seldom too dry for the 
successful germination of seeds. Although moisture is 
essential, a surplus is just as disastrous as an insufficient 
amount. 
190. Proper soil temperature. — A suitable temperature 
is required for each class of seeds. Lettuce, onion, beet, 
cabbage, cauliflower and many other kinds of seed will 
germinate at a temperature of 50 degrees F., or even less, 
although higher temperatures will cause no harm. The 
seeds of many vegetables, as the tomato, eggplant, bean, 
pepper and the cucurbits, require much higher tempera- 
tures, and they soon rot in cold, damp soils. 
191. When to sow. — Experience counts for more than 
anything else in determining the proper dates for sowing 
different kinds of seed. A great many factors must be 
considered, but one of the most important is market con- 
ditions. When will a given crop be most likely to com- 
mand the best prices, and how many weeks or months 
will be required to get the crop ready for that particular 
time? Weather conditions must be regarded. Lettuce, 
cauliflower, cabbage, onion, radish, spinach, and peas may 
be sown as soon in the spring as the ground can be pre- 
pared. This will not do for pepper, eggplant, tomato, 
bean, melon, squash and seeds of other tender plants, for 
these must not be planted in the open until the ground 
is thoroughly warm and there is no danger of frost. 
