HOME GARDENING 179 



sandy soil, or in situations exposed to the wind, plant- 

 ing should be deeper than under other conditions. 



(4) Many people err in building up the beds too 

 high above the level of the paths, as the soil dries out 

 rapidly when thus raised. If the beds can be worked 

 from both sides, which is better, they may be made 

 four or five feet wide. If they cannot be worked from 

 both sides, three feet is about the limit of width. 



(5) The seeds should be planted in rows far 

 enough apart to admit of passing a hoe freely between 

 them. Flower seeds should, as a rule, be planted in 

 rows crosswise of the beds. Judgment should be ex- 

 ercised as to the time of planting. Onions, peas and 

 potatoes may be planted as early as the ground can be 

 worked. Flower seeds, as a rule, should not be planted 

 until the ground is warm and danger from frost is 

 past. Sweet peas, however, may be planted early and 

 very deep. All peas should be planted at least three, 

 or even four, inches deep. They should be planted in 

 rows running north and south and provided with 

 proper support. 



(6) The transplanting of cabbages, tomatoes, etc., 

 should be done on a cloudy day, or towards evening. 

 Plants should be set rather deep, and shaded from 

 the next day's sun by a shingle or other shield. 



(7) The surface of seed beds should not be al- 

 lowed to become dry or hard during the time of germi- 

 nation. After plants are above the surface, the ground 

 should be frequently stirred to prevent its baking or 

 drying out, and to keep down weeds, which are much 



