438 



Junior ISIaturalist Monthly. 



Fig. io. — Covering the seeds. 



children do not thrive 

 in crowded city tene- 

 ments. 



That is a good way 

 to cover the .seeds. It 

 does not disturb tl:em 

 in tlie rows. Sand is 

 the best covering, for 

 it never packs, and the 

 tiniest and weakest 

 seedhng can push its 

 way easily through. 



If yon cannot get 

 sand, then sift a little 

 pile of soil several 

 times to make it very 

 fine and light, and 

 keep that for the final 

 soft blanket to help 

 warm the seeds into 

 growth. 



But make the blanket 

 of an even thickness, 



and about four times 

 as thick as the seeds 

 it covers. 



Then firm the soil 

 down again. This 

 does not make the 

 surface hard, but only 

 snugs the soil about 

 the seeds so that they 

 feel the warmth and 

 moisture and immedi- 

 ately begin to swell, 

 and shoot from their 

 protecting shells. 



It is well to have 

 only one kind of seed 

 in a row, for some 

 sprout much quicker 

 than others. Pepper- 

 grass is above ground 



Fig. II. — Firming tlie soil about tlw s^cds. 



