SEED PANS AND BOXES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

SEED PANS AND BOXES.

These should not be too deep, as a great depth of soil holds too much moisture, and is not easily warmed. Three or four inches is deep enough for most seedlings; there are a few exceptions that require deeper soils. The pans should be thoroughly clean and the boxes strong enough to hold together. Nothing is more aggravating than to go to lift up a box of choice seed just germinating, and the bottom 'and fides come away. It is almost impossibly to replace into another box, and one is faced with the possibility of losing all or going to a lot of trouble trying to transfer the seed to another box. The drainage should be perfect; so long as there is sufficient soil there cannot be too much drainage. It is a good plan to cover the drainage with the rough liftings obtained when soil is put through a sieve. The soil should be of a light friable sandy nature, put through a fine 6ieve; and made moderately firm. The surface should be levelled by pressing it with a piece of board, or, in the case of a pot or pan, use the bottom of another pot. Before sowing the seed, after it is ready, water the soil and let, it drain before sowing. Sow the. seed thinly; with most seed it is a good plan to put the seed in one at a time. ■ This can be done with small seed by using a pointed stick, and, wetting the end, a seed or two will stick to it long enough to transfer it from the packet to the box. This thin sowing will, in most cases, eliminate the first pricking out, and save, time and seed. Cover the pan cr box with glass if it is stood outside, and also keep it about an inch off the ground to allow the water to get away easily. If the weather is bright, or under any circumstances, shading until the seedlings are up is an advantage, as it eliminates the need of watering. Once the seedlings are up, allow # all the ventilation and light they can stand, for hardy plants give the best results.