Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 173, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1918 — HINT FOR LATE GARDENER [ARTICLE]

HINT FOR LATE GARDENER

How Loss of Seedling Plants Through "Damping Off” May Be Avoided With Little Trouble. Many millions of seedling plants are lost annually by what is generally termed “damping off.” It may be observed In the sudden collapse of the little plants at the neck or ground Idvel, and usually occurs while the seedlWfes are still in the seed pan, though it also may happen even after they have been transplanted. It is due to the work of a minute fungus, and brought about by excessive moisture in the soil or. atmosphere, a condition the fuhgus quickly takes ■ advantage of to get in its deadly work. To prevent such conditions, th® soil must be sufficiently porous so that water will soak inco 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 before night; ventilation to keep the air pure also will tend to ward off disease. “Damping off” also may be checked by placing a thin layer of sharp sand over the,,surface of the soil, or a light dusting of flowers of sulphur also may combat the evil. Guard against sowing seed too thickly, for, should the majority germinate, the seedlings will be so close 1 to one another that' they will not dry out readily.—Country Gentleman.