METHODS UNDER GLASS 207 



makes the even and proper watering of tiny plants 

 impossible. After the soil was prepared the seed was 

 sown. 



The radish seeds were sown in rows where they 

 could mature, and the other seeds in squares of one 

 foot or less. All seeds were covered by sifting- on a 

 thin layer of rich earth and fine sand, equal parts, well 

 mixed. The depth of covering, as a general rule, 

 should not exceed twice the diameter of the seed 

 covered. 



The different varieties were marked by small 

 strips of shingle on which the name of the variety was 

 written in pencil. Care was taken in sowing, to sepa- 

 rate varieties of the same kind of seed, as All-head and 

 Sun-head cabbage, by some other seed, as tomato or 

 onion. In this way there was no difficulty in identify- 

 ing all the varieties. 



The seeds above named occupied about two-thirds 

 of the area of the frame, and a few flower and other 

 seeds were sown in the spare corner. The earth was 

 gently firmed over the seed by moderate pressure on a 

 bit of board, and a pail of water, moderately warm, 

 was applied with a watering pot having a fine nose. 

 The sash was then placed on the frame and closed 

 down. During sunny days the upper end of the sash 

 was raised an inch or more for ventilation, and luke- 

 warm water was applied when the soil appeared to 

 require moisture. 



The seeds were sown ]\Iay i, and on May 4, 

 radish, lettuce and cabbage plants were breaking the 

 ground, followed two or three days by the other varie- 

 ties, excepting parsley, which requires more time for 

 germination. The frame was covered nights with two 

 old blankets, as the nights were cool and frost occurred 

 on May 4, 13, 15 and 22. 



