sash. A thin or medium water-proof plant cloth, either commercial or home-made, is excellent for this purpose. It may be tacked upon a simple and light rectangular frame which is strengthened at the corners by iron “carriage-corners.” These cloth-covered frames are handy for many purposes, particularly for protecting and supplying some warmth to seed-pans and young seedlings.

It is essential that good drainage be given all in-door seed-pots or seed-beds. A layer of broken pots or other coarse material is placed on the bottom. Many growers place a thin layer of fine dead sphagnum moss or of peat over this drainage material, and it certainly makes a useful addition. It is particularly useful in isolated pots or small boxes, as it holds enough moisture to prevent too rapid drying out, while all surplus water is quickly taken off by the coarse material beneath. Over the moss coarse siftings from the soil may be placed, while on top only the finest and best soil should be used. The smaller the seeds, the more care must be exercised in the sowing.

The proper depth for sowing varies directly with the size of the seed. The chief advantage of very fine soil for small seeds is the greater exactness of depth of covering which it allows. Very small seeds should be sown upon the surface, which has previously been well firmed and levelled, and then covered with a very thin layer of finely sifted soil or a little old and dead moss rubbed through a sieve. This covering should be scarcely deeper than the thickness of the seeds; that is, the seeds should be barely covered. Many prefer pressing the seeds into the soil with a block. Or if one has a close propagating-box, the seeds may remain upon the surface and sufficient moisture will be supplied from the atmosphere. Such fine seeds are rarely watered directly, as even the most careful treatment would be likely to dislodge them. The soil is usually well watered before the seeds are sown, or moisture may be supplied by inserting the pot in water nearly to its rim for a few moments. If water is applied from a hose, a thin cloth should first be spread on the soil to hold it. Celery seeds, in out-door beds, are often sown upon a nicely prepared surface and are then pressed in by means of the feet or a board. Some cover to prevent evaporation should be given all small seeds. This may be a board or a slate slab at first, but as soon as the plants appear glass should be substituted to admit light. (See pp. 11 to 14.)

Large seeds demand much less care as to depth of covering, as a rule. One-fourth or one-half inch is a good depth for most coarse seeds in-doors. If one wishes to gauge the depth accurately, the drills may be made by a planting stick, like that shown in Fig. 8. Its flange is made of the required thickness, and it is pressed into the soil until the cap strikes the surface. This is a useful implement in seed testing. Another device for regulating the depth of sowing, particularly in seed testing, is the Tracy planter, shown in Fig. 9. It consists of two strips of heavy tin plate about three inches wide, hung upon two wire pivots or hinges some two inches long. At their upper edges and equidistant from either end, the plates are joined by a firm spiral spring, which serves to throw the upper edges apart, and to cause the lower edges to join. This trough is now filled with the required number of seeds, and is then inserted into the earth to a given depth, when the fingers push inward on the spring and the trough opens and delivers the seeds.

Fig. 8. Planting Stick.

Miscellaneous Matters.—The influence which light exerts upon germination is not definitely understood. It is known, however, that seeds will often germinate in full sunlight, if the proper conditions of moisture and temperature can be maintained. Seeds sown upon a moist surface and covered with a glass present an interesting study. But it is well known, on the other hand, that some seeds will not germinate, or will at least appear unevenly, if subjected to sunlight. At least some of the delphiniums, papavers and adonises germinate very imperfectly, if at all, in direct light. It is always advisable to keep germinating seeds in shade or partial darkness, especially as there is nothing to be gained by exposing them. Of course the soil itself is sufficient protection if the seeds are covered.