The Garden Under Glass

CHAPTER XXIX CARE OF YOUNG PLANTS A VERY critical time in the life of a plant is that which follows on its gemination from seed. A seed will often germinate under conditions which would spell ruin to young plants, and it is fairly safe to assert that most failures in plant culture date their existence from some error com-mitted shortly after germination. The essential conditions or requirements of young plants are air and light, with sufficient, but not overmuch moisture, and enough heat to keep them gently moving, without undue hurrying. These principles are grossly violated when the glass or paper coverings are kept on too long, so that growth does not take on its natural green colour; when the surface soil is allowed to become dust-dry; when the seedlings are kept far from the glass or beneath the shade of over-hanging foliage ; when they are placed directly over hot-water pipes ; when they become subjected to drip, or to an over-amount of moisture from syringing ; when they are suddenly removed to cold conditions ; and when they are allowed to grow up in a crowded condition before being pricked off or thinned out. The remedy to all these errors is apparent. It cannot be too strongly urged that young plants must have careful and constant attention. To postpone attention in the matter of removal to good conditions for several days cannot fail to have a bad effect on the plants. Old plants may bear neglect, but it will never do for young s 273