GROWING SEEDS IN BOXES. 161 



each, but in this place a few protecting and promoting 

 arrangements will be described for the benefit of begin- 

 ners in garden work. 



Seed Boxes. Seed boxes are the simplest arrangement 

 for starting seedlings for subsequent planting out and -in 

 most amateur gardening in this climate they will com- 

 prise about all that is necessary in the way of construc- 

 tion, because, as will be seen later, it is very easy to give 

 them a little bottom heat if the grower desires, but they 

 can be largely used without any. The chief advantages of 

 starting seedlings in boxes instead of the open ground are 

 the ease which the seed boxes can be carried under pro- 

 tection from cold, beating rains or frosts, or protected 

 from hot, drying winds or too intense sun heat, and the 

 convenience with which moisture conditions can be regu- 

 lated by covering and light sprinkling. 



There are no particular dimensions to be observed in 

 making seed boxes, except that they should not be too 

 large to be easily lifted and carried with their contents. The 

 cases which inclose two five-gallon cans of coal oil, sawed 

 in two lengthwise so as to make two wide, shallow boxes, 

 serve an excellent purpose. It is more convenient to have 

 all the boxes of the same size than to use odd sizes, in case 

 it may be desired to group the boxes in a hot-bed or other- 

 wise for heat and covering. Be sure that the bottom has 

 ample openings for drainage either cracks or bored holes. 

 The soil-layer in the boxes should not exceed three inches 

 in depth. In ordinary amateur practice a good soil for 

 these boxes can be made by taking good rich garden soil 

 as a basis. Add sand and, if possible, the light mold from 

 under an old straw stack, leaf mold, finely powdered 

 rotted manure, or something similar, until you have a rich, 

 friable soil. No definite rule can be given for mixing, 

 except that the prepared soil should hold moisture well, 

 have no tendency to cake, and never crack in the sun. 



Fill the boxes, and, with a small board, press the soil 

 closely and evenly, so that it will retain moisture. The 

 seeds should then be sown quickly and evenly over the 



