#4 OF PROPAGATION. SECT. V. 



the feet, for when the foil is too wet, it binds and 

 does harm, especially heavy ground; thus in this work, 

 and every other in the way of gardening, there is a 

 nicety of tune to be obfei vel, by thofe who would do 

 their bufmefs well. It is to be obfei ved, however, 

 that (owing in drills or on beds that are not to be 

 trampled, the moiiture of the ground is rather an 

 advantage, provided, in the laft cafe, that the ground 

 will admit a rake, and the foil is not too wet to drop 

 fomewhat loofely about the feeds. 



The proper depth at which feed fhouM be fown, is 

 to be carefully obferved: if too deep, they will either 

 rot, or not vegetate, or thrive well; and if too mallow, 

 they are liable to-be injurioufly affected by froft, wind, 

 drought, or birds ; but of the two, rather too fhallow, 

 than too deep, is beft, and this we are taught by 

 nature whofe fowings are molllv fuperhcial. 



The final ler the feed, the finer ihould the foil he, and 

 the lefs alfo the covering; fo that, while fome, (as the 

 feed of celery is to be but barely covered, others as 

 peas and beans] may have a depth of two, three, or 

 four inches. But fome regard is to be had to the feaf art 

 and/oil; — in a warm feafon, and light foil, fow deeper, 

 and the contrary fhallower. 



The quantity of feed fown, is a thing to be attended 

 to with fome exaclnefs. Small feeds go a great way, 

 and require a careful hand to diftribute them; for 

 though lowing a little too much be a trifle as to the 

 value of feeds, yet to have them come up crowding thick, 

 is n evil. To fow evenly as to quantity, is an object 

 of practice worthy of care, as it lecures a better crop, 

 and more eafdy managed in the thinning. If the feed 

 is fufpe&ed, fow thicker; poor land will require more 

 feed than rich. 



It is not generally advi fable to fow federal forts of 

 feed on the jame i'pot, as fome perfons are accuifomed 

 to do. The gardeners about London follow the practice; 

 as profit is their great object, and not neatnefs or pro- 

 priety. 



