22 



to work, cart on twenty-five loads per acre of well-rotted 

 manure, spread evenly, harrow and plow about six 

 inches deep. As soon as the weeds start, harrow again. 

 About the 20th of May, give it a final plowing, and har- 

 row ag-ain thoroughly, and if not sufficiently fine, roll. 



IV-rRErARATIOX AXD MAXAGEMEXT OF THE 

 SEED BED. 



"While the field for the crop is being prepared, or still 

 earlier, if the season permits, the bed for growing the 

 plants should be made. Some prepare this the fall 

 before. If well prepared, as soon as the frost leaves 

 the ground in spring, it is as well. The ground should 

 have a warm exposure, on the south side of a board 

 fence, or on a southern or eastern slope, or on the sunny 

 side of a building, or of a piece of woods. Two ways 

 have been adopted for producing the requisite warmth 

 at so early a period — one by the application of plenty of 

 manure, the other by burning. We do not consider the 

 burning process absolutely essential ; for we have seen 

 excellent plants grown without it, in northern latitudes, 

 and in good time for transplanting. But we choose 

 that practical men shall be heard on this subject. 



The following is the direction of Hon. George Geddes : 



" To raise the plants, the fall before pulverize the bed 

 fine, and mix with the soil hog or some other manure 

 that has no foul seeds in it. Sow seeds on the well-raked 

 bed, as soon as the ground can be properly prepared in 

 the spring, about one ounce to a square rod, equally 

 distributed all over the bed. Roll hard with a hand- 

 roller, but do not cover the seed. Glass should be kept 



