SUCCESS IN MARKET GARDENING 



how carefully the sowing may be done, must 

 depend largely upon the condition of the ground. 

 But, on the other hand, it is no less true that, 

 unless the seed is carefully and judiciously placed 

 in the ground, and properly covered, the crop 

 cannot get a good start, no matter how well 

 the land has been prepared or how good the 

 seed is. 



It is far better, when possible, to put seed into 

 freshly prepared soil, as it is sure to get a better 

 start than on land which has been turned over 

 long enough to have become crusty and lumpy 

 on the surface. Again, it is preferable, when 

 possible, to sow seed immediately after a rain 

 rather than just before it comes; since, in the case 

 of the finer seeds, more especially, the crust which 

 begins to form on all garden soils immediately 

 after a rain will partly shut out the air and will 

 tend to prevent free germination. Where one 

 encounters the misfortune of a heavy fall of rain 

 occurring just after the planting of a field or bed, it 

 will be well to go over the ground with rakes, 

 and break the crust; and such treatment may 

 make a difference of fifty per cent, in the stand 

 obtained. 



[78] 



