82 Nebraska State Horticultural Society. 



In setting the larger plants, shrubs, trees, and the like, it is im- 

 portant to have the earth firmed well about the roots. A good way to 

 accomplish this is to tread it with the feet as the hole about the tree 

 roots is being filled. In setting smaller plants the earth can be firmed 

 sufficiently with the hands. No matter how firm the soil is made about 

 the roots, the surface should be left loose and dry. 



The seeds planted in the window box may be covered less deeply 

 than those planted outdoors, since the soil can be kept moist more 

 easily. If the ground is moistened when the seeds are sown, and a pane 

 of glass is fitted over the box, no more water need be applied until the 

 seeds are well up. Pouring water on the surface of the soil where very 

 small seeds have been planted is apt to wash them out badly. This can 

 be prevented by laying a piece of coarse material like burlap upon the 

 surface of the soil and pouring the water upon this. The burlap can be 

 left on the ground to hold moisture until the seeds begin to germinate. 



When moss is used to start seeds in, it should be soaked until 

 thoroughly wet before the seeds are planted. A good way is to fill the 

 dish containing it with water and, after the moss has taken up all the 

 water it will, invert the dish to let the excess water run out, holding 

 moss in place, meanwhile, with the hands. 



The Care of School Gardens. 



Keep the weeds down at all times. If they are allowed to grow they 

 will rob the crops of much needed moisture. Cultivate the surface of the 

 ground frequently with hoe and rake in case of the general school par- 

 den or with small-tooth cultivators where they can be had. These im- 

 provements are much more useful than watering pots in keeping plants 

 vigorous. Do not wait until you can kill large weeds by hoeing. Keep 

 the weeds from growing by stirring the surface soil frequently. The 

 larger vegetables and flowers and such shrubs, small fruit plants and 

 perennial vegetables as are grown in the school gardens, may be 

 mulched to advantage, using straw, hay or any similar coarse material. 

 The straw should not be applied to tender plants until the weather has 

 become quite warm, say late in May. As was suggested in discussing 

 the acre of school grounds in general, it might be well to mulch the 

 plants in the school garden, just before school is out in the summer. 

 The mulching will accomplish during the summer vacation what the hoe 

 and cultivator accomplish while the school is in session. Potatoes are 

 one of the vegetables most easily grown by mulching, and about the 

 only one that can be mulched as soon as planted. Although mulching 

 would seem especially adapted to overcome the difficulties of caring for 



