SPRING WORK 41 



frame getting a start of the season, provided that 

 autumn forethought did not make one ready the 

 year before. This can be purchased, knocked 

 apart, or with some narrow boards and one or 

 more window sash it is a matter of little time to 

 put one together at home. Plant in it in April 

 or very early in May seeds of annuals for bloom- 

 ing ahead of those sown in the open ground; also 

 seeds of perennials, for years to come. Sow the 

 seed in rows and at the head of each place a num- 

 ber on the inside of the frame, this to correspond 

 with a list giving the name opposite each number. 

 Seed is always "bad" whenever it fails to come 

 up. The truth is that seed from a reliable source 

 is good, but very frequently the planting is bad. 

 Whether in a coldframe or in the open ground 

 first see that the soil is loose and quite free from 

 lumps and grit, adding a little sand if not light 

 enough. Press the soil down with a small piece 

 of board to get a smooth surface. Scatter the 

 very finest seed, such as that of the poppy, broad- 

 cast on the surface and sift a very little soil over 

 it. Sow larger seeds in rows, made with a sharp- 

 pointed stick, the depth being about twice the di- 

 ameter of the seed. Pour the seed into the palm of 

 the left hand and drop it with the thumb and 

 finger of the right. Or, if done adroitly, the 

 dropping may be done through a small hole made 

 in one corner of the seed envelope. Plant very 

 large seeds one by one and an inch or so apart in 

 the row, to avoid the labor of thinning out. 



