HOW TO GROW SEEDS 
When sown outdoors, most seeds should be scattered over well pulverized 
ground, then covered lightly with a layer of finely pulverized soil or sand. 
Large seeds should be covered about twice their thickness. Keep ground 
moist during germination and while plants are small. Thin if plants are too 
thick. 
If seeds are started in boxes or flats, be sure that the bottom of the flat pro- 
vides good drainage. The soil should be made up of equal portions of leaf- 
mold (or peat), sand and good garden loam. This should be screened to re- 
move any hard lumps, stones or other coarse material. Wet the soil, prefer- 
ably with boiling water, the day before planting. When the soil has dried 
out sufficiently to permit planting loosen the top slightly and plant seeds, not 
too close together. Barely cover with light soil, then firm the ground with a 
smooth board. Cover the top of the flat with a newspaper or cheesecloth. If 
the ground is moist at time of planting it will not be necessary to water at 
planting time. Too much water is apt to cause damping off. The soil should 
be kept “moist,” not “wet.” When the seeds begin to come up, gradually lift 
the paper or cheescloth to permit air and light. 
DAMPING OFF will occur only if flats are kept too wet or in a greenhouse 
without proper ventilation. Watering with a weak solution of clorox, about 
5 to 6 per cent, we have found to be the best cure and preventive. 
The plants should be transferred to other boxes when they begin to show 
the second pair of leaves. Prepare the soil as when seeds are just planted, 
but add a little well decayed manure to stimulate the growth. Transplant to 
open ground when the young plants are two to four inches high, depending 
on the natural growth of the various plants. 
When seeds are sown directly in the ground in dry climate, it will be neces- 
sary to use a very light covering of peat moss or other good mulch to hold 
the moisture—otherwise the small plants will perish for lack of top moisture. 
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