SECT. V. OP PROPAGATION". 65 



rather too shallow, than too deep, is best, and this 

 we are taught by nature whose sowings are mostly 

 superficial. 



The smaller the seed, the finer should the soil be, 

 and the less also the covering ; so that, while some, 

 (as the seed of celery is to be but barely covered, 

 others as peas and beam) may have a depth of two, 

 three, or four inches. But some regard is to be had 

 to the season and soil ; in a warm season, and light 

 soil, sow deeper, and the contrary shallower. 



The quantity of seed sown, is a thing to be at- 

 tended to with some exactness. Small seeds go a 

 great way, and require a careful hand to distribute 

 them; for though sowing a little too much be a tri- 

 fle as to the value of seeds, jet to have them come 

 up crowding thick is an evil. To sow evenly as to 

 quantity, is an object of practice worthy of care, as 

 it secures a better crop, and is more easily managed in 

 the thinning. If the seed is suspected, sow thicker ; 

 poor land will require more seed than rich. 



It is not generally advisable to sow several sorts 

 of seed on the same spot, as some persons are ac- 

 customed to do. The gardeners about London fol- 

 low the practice; as profit is their great object, and 

 not neatness or propriety. On -the same piece, they 

 sow radishes, lettuces, and carrots ; the radishes are 

 drawn young for the table, the lettuces to plant out, 

 and a sufficient crop of carrots is left, for carrots 

 should not stand very near to grow big: This is as 

 reasonable a combination as any that is made ; but 

 still, if not short of ground, each kind separate will 

 be found best. In defence of this mode of culture, 

 it is said, if one crop fails, the others may do, and 

 there is no loss of ground or time ; and if all suc- 

 ceed they do very well. Radishes and spinach are 

 commonly sown together by the common gardeners, 

 and many manoeuvres of inter-cropping are made by 



