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THE BEGINNER'S GARDEN BOOK 



appear, we cannot tell which are the weeds. The lines from 

 label to label will help us sometimes, so that if a plant ap- 

 pears between the rows, we can take it out. 



In the second place, sometimes there is rain. Now rain 

 packs the ground firmly, and as soon as the sun comes out, 

 the moisture begins to dry out of the ground. We know, 

 having studied it in the winter, that a loose covering of dust 

 will prevent drying. Of course if we rake up the whole 



FIG. 147. SEEDLINGS OF CARROT. 

 At first they look like spears of grass. 



surface, we shall get this dust covering, but we may also 

 disturb the seeds. If we can depend upon the labels, then 

 we can cultivate between the rows. A vegetable gardener 

 here has an advantage over the flower gardener, for his 

 straight rows of seeds may be avoided. The irregular 

 planting of the flower garden will not allow us to take such 

 risks except in a few places where it may be perfectly plain 

 where the seeds are. 



What we can do, therefore, before the plants appear is 

 very little. But when the ground cracks above the sprouting 

 seeds, then we may prepare to come to the rescue. Some- 



