The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-01-25
PLANTS
IN THE HOUSE

In some OF the cooler sections OF
the South it is desirable to start
plants for certain crops before 1t
is safe to plant them in the open
ground. For this purpose it is de-
s;rable to have a hotbed, if any
large quantity of seed is to be
started, or to use boxes in the
house. if the> planting is to be only
in small or moderate quantity. For
the average small gardener the box
in the house is the usual and more
convenient method. 1t is alto
gether practical, also.
These boxes, which should be
shallo,c in order better to govern
conditions of moisture, are gener-
allyEknown. from their shape, in
the trade as flats. A cigar box
makes an ideal flat for a small
quantity of seed. Even in an ordl-
nary cigar box a sufficient quantity
OF either tomato. pepper, eggplant,
cabbage. Brussels sprouts. lettuce
or onion seed may be given an
early start placing the box in "a
light window, where it is certain
rot to escape attention.
If no box is handy and one has
to be made, the following Gimen-
sions have been found to be about
right: three to four inches deep,
a foot to ii inches wide. and 90 to
a4 inches long. If it is desired to
place the box upon "a window sill,
the width. of course, should be reg
ulated according to the width Of
the sill, letting the length Of the
box be the inside width Of the
window.
Drainage is the first and most
important feature. Place layer
Of coarse gravel cinders or broken
flower pots or crockery about an
inch deep in the bottom. Upon this
layer Of good garden soil, con-
tanning. if possible. decayed leaves
or manure, should be placed,
coming almost to the top of the
box. The soil under the family
woodpile, when it, is used up in the
early spring or from around de-
caying logs in the woods, is ideal
material. but if this is not handy,
good garden soil will do very we'll.
Press this soil down firmly with a
brick or board. sift little earth
over it. so that the surface is even
and smooth. Make rows one-Quar-
ter to one-half an inch deep, ac-
cording to the size Of the seed. the
narrow way Of the box, and about
two inches apart for the coarser
.aud one inch for the finer seed, and
SOW the seed. Sift earth through a
sieve to cover them and then gently
firm it down with a brick or piece
of smooth board of convenient size
! The first watering is best done
BY setting the seed box IN water
until the moisture shows at the
surface of the soil, and then remov-
ing it and allowing it to drain. AT
! ter that water only sufficiently tC
J; keep the soil moist. but wet, and
never enough so that the water
will leak through the box. Apply
the water geetly with a fine spray
or if not at hand with a whisk
broom. or by sprinkilng with the
/ fingers. Do not pour from a pitch
er or sprinkler. as the water Will
wash the seeds and often destroy
them when they aree eare sprouting
Until the seeds begin to show
through the soil, it is good plan
TO cut a piece Of cloth to fit the
box to lay over the soil, old sheets
or linvn toweling being excellent
for the purpose, and the water
may be applied through this. Re
move when the first sprouts ap-
pear.
a pane of glass is even better
as it prevents too rapid evapora-
ton. 1t should be removed oc-
casionafy and the moisture which
| has condensed upon it should be
wiped off. When the sprouts ap-
pear. partially remove the glass at
! one edge to allow plenty of air tc
circulate, and as soon as we'll up
remove entirely Turn the box
each day so the plants will not
grow one sided and stretch towards
! the light.