SPEEDING UP GERMINATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 239, 8 October 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

SPEEDING UP GERMINATION.

Those who get behindhand with their j sowing for any reason should remember, that steps may bo taken jn many cases to speed up germination. Thus, seeds of a large or moderate size may bej soaked in water for 24 hours before sowing. This is- an excellent plan to follow in the ease of peas, beans, ctc. It is impossible to state positively as to tho length of time that should elapse between the sowing of the seed and the appearance of the plant. Allowance always have to be made for special weather conditions. It is always well to bear in mind that if the little plants do not appear after a reasonablo interval something may have gone wrong. The seeds insy h&v© been by some pest. A small investigation into one corner of the patch which been sown may reveal the trouble. If tnia action is taken in time there may be a chance of resowing. Some kinds ot seeds, like beetroot, do not germinate uniformly; a few will come up, then there is an interval, and this is followed by another batch. Much the same kind of thing happens in the case of carrots. On the other hand, certain varieties of the common vegetables never give a high standard of germination as do others. No particular reason for this has been discovered, and in spite ot every care on the part of the seedsman the fact remains. Points such as these should be borne in mind before complaints arc made as to the o the seeds supplied. Do not be discouraged if tho first plants which come

np seem to faro rather ill. It is often noticed that in a batch of seedlings it is those which appear last on the scene that wo most .sturdy. Perhaps this is owing to the fact that later in the season the conditions tend to improve. In dry weather water may be useful, but this should be given only when absolutely necessary. At this season of the year the nights arc often cold and heavy watering may giye the plants a serious chcck. A better plan Wtp loosen the soil with a fork in the neigh' bourli/»d of the plants about once a week. By tliis plan evaporation of moisturo from the soil is prevented. Do not delay thinning out where" this is necessary. All overcrowded seedling hardly ever makes a good plant, though the trouble may be to an extent surmounted by deep planting when a removal takes place. Slugs and other garden pests are always waiting to attack seedlings. A good slug trap is to get some cabbage leaves on which a very littlo butter is spread. These are placed face downwards to the soil and examined every four hours, preferably at night. Crowds of slugs, woodlice, and other pests may be collcctcd from the leaves and destroyed.