OCR Text |
Show Expert Advises Farmers to Sow Certified Seed Garden time is rapidly approaching approach-ing and one of the most important things to consider in raising a good garden is good seed, according to J. C. Hogenson, extension agronomist. Undersized and shriveled seeds do not contain enough food material to establish a young plant properly; consequently, many die before they are well rooted. It has been found that heavy seed will produce 48 per cent more established plants than will light seed. Although the cost of certified seed is a little more It is the best seed to buy, because of the standard it has to reach to be certified. In the long run it will be cheaper to use because of the greater great-er number of established plants resulting re-sulting from its use, Professor Hogenson Hog-enson explains. Clean soil means soil free from diseases such as smut, or rust. If any disease was present on the land the year previous or even on the adjoining ad-joining land, do not plant your garden gar-den until after a heavy rain, warns Professor Hogenson. A good seed bed Is one In which every seed planted will find conditions condi-tions for rapid continuous growth. The conditions which promote germination of the seed and growth of the young plant are: moisture, warmth and firmness of the soil. In order to get a good seed bed the ground must be well worked, and then be allowed to rest a sufficient length of time for the particles to settle together as much as nature will permit. This condition of the soil allows the moisture to rise Into that region where the seed Is planted. plant-ed. It also allows air to penetrate into the same region of soil from above so that the seed can get oxygen. oxy-gen. The warmth of the sun's rays will permit penetration more deeply deep-ly into the soil and thus cause quick genmination and rapid growth. The seed bed should be firm so that the roots finding their way among the soil particles will be able to hold the young plant firmly in a position to grow properly. |