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Show TIPS to (jrardeners Helping Seeds Along '"THE first step toward insuring germination of seeds is proper planting. In exceptionally dry weather, however, even properly planted seeds may not germinate. It is advisable in such a case to prepare the dry soil for the seed. Water freely, as though you had a crop growing. Allow the water to soak in and when the soil has good moisture content, begin your planting. You must be careful, of course, not to plant in wet, muddy soil. Excessive rainfall, on the other hand, may make the soil so moist as to cause rotting of planted seeds. If they have not germinated germi-nated within a reasonable length of time after planting, a few of them should be dug up and examined. If rotting is indicated, another planting must be made. While few vegetable seeds require re-quire special treatment to assist germination, numerous flower seeds can successfully be treated, according to Gilbert Bentley, flower flow-er expert. He advises as follows: Nick the seed coat of lupin, moonflow-er moonflow-er and morning glory; remove the rough outer coating of nasturtium, momordica, castor bean and sand verbena; soak canna, lily, job's tear and sweet pea seeds in water wa-ter for 12 hours before planting. |