NURSERIES. 63 



broad only, with string and pegs. Then raise the path six 

 inches above the spots marked off for the beds. This latter 

 must not be done by earth from the beds, but by earth from 

 outside the intended nursery. Next dig and pulverise the 

 soil of the beds to a depth of six or seven inches, no more, 

 and level the surface. 



All is now ready for the seed. A string, five feet long, 

 with a small peg at either end, is given to two men who stand 

 on the path at either side of the bed. Each man has a six- 

 inch measure. The string is laid across the bed, beginning at 

 one end and pegged down at either side. A drill is then 

 made along the string about one inch deep, and this done the 

 string is, by means of the six-inch measure on either side 

 removed and pegged down again in the place for the next 

 drill. Seeds are then sown or placed along the first drill 

 made, two to three inches apart, and the earth filled in. This 

 is repeated again and again till the whole bed is sown. 



If the character of the seed is doubtful it must be laid in 

 thicker, but with good seed two-and-a-half to three inches is 

 the best distance. 



The sowing finished the artificial shade has to be given. 

 Along the paths, at five feet apart, put in forked stakes two 

 feet long, viz., six inches into the path and eighteen inches 

 above it. Connect these with one another by poles laid in 

 the forks ; now lay other, but thinner poles attached to the 

 first poles at either end across and above the bed ; and again 

 across these latter, that is, along the length of the beds, split 

 bamboos, and then bind the whole frame-work here and there. 

 The said frame-work made will then be two feet above the 

 beds, viz., eighteen inches of stake support, and the six-inch 

 raised paths. The eighteen inches of opening all round, 

 under the frame, that is, between the frame and the path, 

 allows the necessary air to circulate ; while the expense, 

 danger from high winds, and the objectionable entrance of the 



