OF AGRICULTURE. 121 



SOWING THE SEED. 



As soon as the surface of the bed is cool enough, 

 after burning, guano, or some finely pulverized 

 manure, rich in ammonia, and clear from seeds 

 of every kind, should be freely applied, and the 

 surface finely chopped over with the hoe, and 

 smoothly raked. It will then be ready for the seed. 

 About two tablespoonfuls of seed for every one 

 hundred square yards will be sufficient, and not too 

 much. The seed are mixed with old ashes, and, to 

 sow them regularly, it is best to sow one- half over 

 the bed, and the other half across the first sowing 

 It is then well trodden, and thickly covered with 

 brush. 



The object of the covering is to protect the young 

 and tender plants against frost and sudden changes 

 of weather, and, at the same time, to admit the air 

 and light, and heat of the sun. The covering is 

 removed when there is no longer danger from frost. 

 One bed should be sown in winter, and the others 

 early in the spring, to multiply the chances for an 

 early supply of plants. 



The fly is the great enemy of plant-beds. Various 

 remedies have been tried for this evil. No remedy 

 has been found better than the frequent application 

 of guano and plaster, during the growth of the 

 young plants, which has the effect of pushing them 

 forward, so that they spring up rapidly, in spite of 

 the fly. 



All weeds and grass should bo pulled out of plant- 

 beds,as soon as they appear. 



