Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-06
SEWING SEEDS
INDOORS.

Since people are often unable ia
purchase vegetable or. annual flower
ing and foliage plants during late
April or early MAY for outdoor plant.
ing. il might he we'll to consider the
starting of seeds indoors. 1t is neces
sary to ha o. quite stable. stock!
plants for setting outdoors in orde'
that they may produce early crops
or flowers before the coming Of the
|rosts in the Fall Among the veee.
tables are tomatoes. peppers and other
tender sorts. while the hba ge nnd let
tuce crops will he advanced several
weeks If the home gardener has a fiat
or two Of early plants. See the notes
printed on February 90. A list of the
annual Towering plants would include
annual aster, petunia, Verbena. SALIVA.
Snapdra gon, heliotrope, annual phlox
end Calendula.
These seeds may he started in boxes
or fats about inches deep and set
on a sunny window ledge. Shallow
seed pans or bulb pots also are good
for plant growing Use clean. rich
soil mixed with leaf mold (decayed
leavesl a little charcoal and also ada
some sand If the soil is not light and
porous Avoid the use of manure. as
the seedlings do not need such riCn
soil The soil can he given a short
bake in Tho oven 10 Kill the weed seeds
and insects. Put thin layer Of
coarser material in the bottom of the
fat TO insure ample drainage. and
after filing the fat nearly to the top
make tho soil firm with a small piece
Of board.
Most persons make the mistake Of
sewing seeds too deeply. The general
rule is to SOW the seeds In depression>
made with the edge Of a short ruler.
50 that they may he covered with
soil to depth Of two or three times
the thickness of the seed. With very
minute seed. like petunia it is suffi-
Gent to press the seed down with the
smooth surface of a block of wood.
The sowing of seed, like other phases
Of gardening, is a matter of expert
once. Water carefully. so as not to
disturb the seed. and label each row.
50 that there will be no doubt as To it's
kind.
Planted seed boxes should be covered
with pane of glass to maintain a
moist condition and a relatively high
temperature. For a few days il is
well TO cover this glass with news
paper until the young plants begin
80 show above the soil Then elevate
we glass SlEnIlN ~ one Ptll 10 ALLOW
y circulation of air. and take the ella So
eff entirely as soon a 8 the plants begin
to touch its lower surface. The grow
Ing seedlings should never suffer for
want of water, hut tepid liquid should
he applied iudiCiously in q fine spray.
Seeding plants should he thinned
promptly to avoid p SpindlinG growth
end the frequent losses from the
Camping of" disease which occurs
when the plants are crowded, or kept
too moist. or not given a free circula-
tion Of air. Turn the boxes frequently
so that the plants will not grow one.
sided as they turn toward the light.
Transplant to paper pots or to other
Cats when several true leaves unfold.
and be ready to set them outdoors in
q home made cold frame during the
middle Of April or earlier If they are
especially hardy This hardening off
period in the cold frame wifi make the
plants stocky and able TO stand garden
conditions when they are planted In
their permanent places.
Note: United States Department Of
Agriculture. Farmers Bulletin no.
10i4, The City Home Garden" shows
in detail the home planting Of vege-
table seeds and 1t is we'll illustrated.