54 Market Gardening, 



largely beyond that required by common-grown £to:k. 



Of course, as we have already said, it is always im- 

 portant, and in some degree ecssntial, that none but 

 the best seed be used ; but with some crops this is most 

 especially necessary, and a neglect will result in the 

 most disastrous kind of a failure. Take, for instance, 

 either cabbage, cauliflower, or celery. These are veg' 

 etables with regard to which the greatest care has to 

 be exercised', to procure the proper kind of seed stock. 

 Also with onions, lettuce, and cucumbers this is no 

 less important. 



It may be well to add, while on this point, that there 

 is more than one advantage in purchasing your seed 

 supply early in the season, and before the spring rush 

 comes on. By so doing you are enabled to get the 

 best that there is in stock, as the supplies have not 

 then been greatly drawn upon ; and by attending to 

 the matter before every one is driven with orders you 

 have a better chance to make your selections, and of 

 avoiding mistakes. 



It is quite important, unless you can rely absolutely 

 upon the dealer from whom you purchase, to employ 

 some means of testing the quality of seeds. Some 

 have recommended as the speediest way, though not 

 altogether a sure one, putting a few on top of a hot 

 stove ; such as -are good will crack like corn in parch- 

 ing ; the bad will burn without noise and with very lit- 

 tle motion. A more reliable way is to place a little 

 cotton-wool or moss in a tumbler containing water, 

 and let it stand in a warm room while the experiment 

 is in progress. Place the seeds to be tecled on the 



