74 GARDENING FOR PROFIT. 



yet, decayed refuse hops from the breweries, in short, 

 anything of this nature that will tend to lighten the 

 soil, the point to be avoided being a iceight of soil, 

 either from the nature or quantity of it. The nature of 

 the soil is not of so much importance for the germinating 

 of large vigorous seeds, as Peas, Beets, Beans, Corn, etc. 

 But with the delicate, slow sprouting sorts, as Celery, 

 Parsnip, Egg Plant, or Peppers, it is of much importance. 

 Seeds of nearly every garden vegetable should be sown in 

 rows ; the distance apart, according to the variety, and the 

 depth proportioned to the size of the seed. No better infor- 

 mation can be given in this matter, than the old rule of 

 covering the seed with about its thickness of soil, but this 

 should always be followed up by having the soil pressed 

 closely down. In our market gardens here, w r e inf ariably 

 have the ground rolled after sowing, or in frames or hot- 

 beds, where the roller cannot be used, we pat the soil even- 

 ly down with a spade after sowdng. This may not be of 

 so much consequence in early spring, when the atmosphere 

 is moist, but as the season advances, it is of great im- 

 portance. I have seen many acres of Carrots and Parsnips 

 lost for want of this simple attention ; the covering of the 

 seeds being loose, the heated air penetrates through, dry- 

 ing the seeds to shriveling, so that they never can vege- 

 tate. My farmer readers, no doubt, have had plenty of 

 similar experiences with Turnips, where they have been 

 sown broadcast without rolling. Another advantage in 

 rolling after seed sowing is, that it leaves the surface 

 smooth and level, thereby lessening greatly the labor of 

 hoeing. Instead of adopting the questionable practice of 

 steeping seeds, preparatory to sowing in dry hot weather, 



