286 ANNUAL REPOR'H OF THE Off. Doc. 



broadcast or iu rows, the rows being about two inches apart. Shal- 

 low furrows are made by pressing the edge of a piece of plastering 

 lath or other small strips into the soil. Sow about one hundred and 

 fifty seeds in each furrow or suflScient to make 1,000 plants per flat. 

 Stronger plants will be procured if they are sown more thinly, but 

 by good management the above number of first-class plants may be 

 procured from a flat made from a Star soap-box. After sowing the 

 entire flat or number of flats to be used, place in the hot-bed and 

 water thoroughly, or if more convenient, water before setting in the 

 hot-bed. 



Now remove the thermometer plunged in the manure of the hot- 

 bed and lay on the edge of a flat. If possible do not allow the tem- 

 perature to rise higher than sixty degrees, and a lower temperature 

 will make much stronger plants. Cabbage, cauliflow-er and lettuce 

 seeds will germinate at a temperature of 45 degrees and a slow 

 germination and slow growth always result in better plauts. This 

 is a strong argument in favor of early sowing so that it will not be 

 necessary to force the plants too rapidly. Ventilate freely when the 

 weather permits and make moderate applications of water only when 

 absolutely necessary,shown by the plants wilting or by them refusing 

 to grow fast enough. Every precaution must be taken to prevent 

 the plants from damping oil'. It should be constantly kept in mind 

 that high temperature and excessive moisture are the two chief fac- 

 tors in promoting this disease. 



THE USE OF COLD FRAMES. 



In about four weeks the seedlings will be ready to transplant. The 

 flats described are also used for this operation. They may be filled 

 to within half an inch of the top wdth thoroughly rotted manure or 

 compost, filling the remainder of the space with fine rich soil. A large 

 quantity of manure in the fall is a decided advantage iji transplant- 

 ing as it will hold together and the plants may be transferred to the 

 field with less damage to the roots than if only soil is used. In 

 transplanting to the flats make the holes from an inch and a half 

 to two inches apart with a dibber or small, sharp stick. A very 

 rapid method is to use a board in which check rows have been bored 

 with a three-quarter inch bit. After filling the flat and pressing 

 the soil firmly, place this board over it, hold securely with the left 

 hand, and with dibber in the right hand punch the holes. Then place 

 the flat carefully on a bench or table, drop a plant in each hole 

 leaning them away from you, and fasten with the two thumbs and 

 forefingers, or with the left thumb and forefinger and a small sharp 

 stick in the right hand. See that the small plants are well-fastened. 

 The soil should be sufficiently damp before transplanting so that 



