1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. Ill 



it is a proof of sad mismanagement on the part of the former. One 

 of the greatest evils in seed-sowing is, to sow too thickly — this is more 

 applicable to small seeds. When the seedlings come up in matted 

 tufts, their strength is impaired at the beginning, and a train of evils 

 often follows, such as weakly growth, premature seeding, &c. Deep- 

 sowing of small seeds, especially at a time when the soil is cold and 

 wet, is often the cause of failure. Sowing on wet heavy ground, and 

 treading while the soil sticks to the feet, is attended by the worst 

 results ; and when the ground is dust-dry, it should be moistened a 

 little (in hot weather it should be thoroughly soaked the day before 

 sowing); for if no rain fall for some time, the seeds may perish by 

 drought; or if the plants come up, they are so drawn and weakly that 

 they are attacked by mildew, or they are unable to stand the slightest 

 attack of vermin of any kind. Take Peas as an example. In dry hot 

 weather how soon the crop will give way to mildew, if the soil is dry 

 at sowing-time, and has only been turned over one spade deep, leav- 

 ing a hard bottom, into which the roots cannot penetrate. Pods come 

 half their size, and the Peas are so hard and tasteless that they are 

 often denounced as a very inferior kind; and the vendor who may 

 have recommended them will get, undeservedly, a character not at all 

 desirable. Hence the verdict pronounced on good articles, which 

 prevents their coming into general use when they really are valuable 

 acquisitions. Watering of seeds is often done injudiciously. When 

 the ground is dry and the surface baked hard, it is useless to water 

 before it is broken up either by hoe, prong, or trowel; then the water- 

 ing should go on gently at first, and a good soaking be given, and done 

 with it for the time. Cold surface-dribblings are the ruin of many 

 valuable seeds and plants of every description. Vermin at all seasons 

 of the year destroy great quantities of seeds and young plants as soon 

 as the latter come through the soil. We often find wood-ashes, soot, 

 red-lead, and tobacco-powder do much to save crops. The two latter 

 are generally the best, and they all can be applied over the seed at 

 sowing-time, or sprinkled over the young leaves as they are forming 

 above ground, either using when dew is on the surface, or moistening 

 first with water from a rose. When sowing seeds, we always can 

 manage them more easily when sown in drills than sown in beds 

 broadcast. The first system allows hoeing, and also air to pass along 

 between the rows, giving strength and sturdy habit to the plants. 

 They should not be left too long in the seed- rows to become matted, 

 but be planted out a few inches apart on any spare ground till ground 

 can be prepared to plant them in to stand for crops. Each kind 

 should be carefully labelled when sown or planted, so that a correct 

 note of them may be made. Asparagus- seed may be sown on a bed 



