86 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Place to 
Germinate 
Seeds 
Soil for 
Raising 
Seed 
FLATS 
The ideal way to germinate seed is, of course, in a greenhouse 
where temperature and moisture are evenly maintained. Under ordi¬ 
nary conditions, however, this is not possible, but any of a num¬ 
ber of containers may be used. Probably the best is the porous 
seedpan, next to which is suggested the use of "flats”, or wooden 
boxes (about thirteen by twenty-one inches, being three or four 
inches deep.) One may also use flowerpots, bulbpans, or even 
cigar boxes, with rare seeds placed in half an eggshell. Put a half 
dozen small holes, and pebbles or clear sand, in the bottom of the 
flats or cigar boxes, for drainage. If the flats have been used before, 
a wise precaution is to whitewash the inside to prevent possible 
fungus growth. 
Probably the ideal soil 
for raising seed is equal 
parts of sand, leaf 
mold, and loam. Some 
prefer equal parts of 
peat-moss and loam. 
Garden soil with sand 
and a little bonemeal, 
and wood ashes may be 
Importance 
of 
Moisture 
and 
Temperature 
the embryo itself is dormant at the time when the seed is ripe and must go through other 
changes before germination can take place. It is of the greatest importance to learn to handle 
this group because it is the special characteristic of the families to which many of our 
finest ornamentals and fruits belong; the Dogwoods, the Barberries, some of the Honey¬ 
suckles such as Viburnum, Snowberry, Honeysuckle itself and Elder, and—most important 
of all—the Rose family where we find the Rose, both the species and the hybrid forms; 
Pear, Apple, Cherry, Plumb, Strawberry, Spirea, Potentilla, and Hawthorn. 
“Seeds with dormant embryos after-ripen, or get ready to grow, most rapidly if they 
are kept moist and cold until certain changes take place in the embryos that permits germi¬ 
nation to start. If the climate of a place is such that during the winter there will be 7J to 
90 days when the temperature of the surface of the soil is just above freezing, seeds sown 
out of doors in the fall will get enough cold weather to start them in the spring. Where 
winters are too cold or not cold enough nature may be helped by placing the seeds in con¬ 
tainers of moist peat and setting the whole thing in the icebox. Keep moist but not wet for 
two to three months, then take the seeds out and sow them as usual. Many will start when 
treated this way that would never start if planted, as soon as when ripened, in a warm 
greenhouse. Remember that in order to germinate seeds right moisture conditions are most 
important.” 
Persis S. Crocker, of Yonkers, N. Y. 
