Show HINT FOR tOR LATE GARDENER How Loss of Seedling Plants Through Damping Off M May y Be Avoided With Little Trouble Many millions of seedling plants are lost annually by what Is is' is generally termed damping off oft It may be ob obi observed served In the sudden collapse of the little plants at the neck or grou ground d level and usually occurs while the seedlings are still In th the seed pan though It also may happen even after they have been transplanted It Is due to the work of ot a minute fungus and brought about by excessive moisture mois mols- moisture ture In the soil soU or atmosphere a condition condition condi condl tion the fungus quickly takes advantage advantage advant advant- age of ot to get in Its deadly work To prevent such conditions the soil soU must be sufficiently porous so that water water water wa wa- ter will soak Into It quickly Water Is given only when needful and so early In the day that the foliage of all tender seedlings will be thoroughly dry ry before night ventilation to keep the air pure also will tend to ward off oft disease Damping off oft als also may be checked by placing a thin layer of ot sharp sand and ov over r the surface of the soil soU or a n light dusting of flowers of sulphur also may combat the evil Guard against sowing seed to too thickly thickly thickly thick thick- ly for should the majority germinate the seedlings will wUl be so so close to one ona another that they will wUl not not dry out readily Country Country Gentleman |