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AGRICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS 



the seed boxes. If this soil be placed in an oven and 



heated very hot, the heat will destroy many weeds that 



would otherwise give trouble. 

 After putting the soil in the 

 boxes, it should be well packed 

 by pressing it with a flat 

 wooden block. Sow the seeds 

 in straight rows and put little 

 wooden labels with the names 



of the flowers on them at the 



^ ends of the rows. 

 ^r I Sow seeds of the same gen- 



eral size in the same box in 

 order that they may be prop- 

 erly covered, for seeds need to 

 be covered according to their 

 size. After sowing the seed, 

 sift the fine soil over the sur- 

 face of the box. The best 

 soil for covering small seeds is 

 made by rubbing some dry 

 moss along with some of the 

 leaf mold through a sieve. 

 This makes a light cover that 

 will not bake and will retain 

 moisture. After covering the 

 seeds, press the soil firm and 

 smooth with a wooden block. 

 Now sprinkle the covering soil 



lightly with a watering pot until it is fairly moistened. 



Then lay some panes of glass over the box to retain the 



FIG. 237. THE POET'S 

 NARCISSUS 



Copyright, 1902, Doubleday, 

 Page & Co. 



