A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



a rake before weeds develop will save hours 

 of hard labor with a hoe. Cultivation is 

 required, not only to destroy weeds, but to 

 supply air, and encourage all the moisture 

 from the subsoil to travel upwards, so nour- 

 ishing the plant roots as they develop and 

 preventing the soil baking. Not cultivating 

 the ground round plants is as injurious to 

 their health as shutting a child in a room 

 without ventilation. 



Lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflower plants, 

 started in the house in February, should now 

 be planted out. Prepare the rows as for 

 seed, set the line up; then carry out the 

 nursery box and water it thoroughly other- 

 wise the soil will fall away from the roots as 

 you take the plants out. With the pointed 

 stick used for marking the rows, make holes 

 directly under the line nine inches apart 

 for lettuce, a foot for cabbage and cauli- 

 flower. Put a little water into the hole; then 

 with a small trowel or large kitchen spoon 

 "scoop" a plant out of the box, trying to 



188 



