AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 85 



self-sown seeds are cast upon the surface, and those which are 

 covered deeply in plowing seldom trouble the cultivator until 

 again brought near to it. 



The following are general rules : 



1st. Except in special cases, shallow sowing is to be prefer- 

 red to deep. 



2d. In dry, hot summer weather, seeds should invariably be 

 sown in soil freshly dug or plowed, and should then be sown 

 rather deeper than in the more moist and cool seasons of spring 

 and fall. 



3d. The depth at which seeds should be sown may generally 

 be inferred from their size. If seed be very small, it should 

 be sown on the surface, previously well pulverized, and be 

 lightly and carefully raked in ; or when in small plots, simply 

 stirring the earth with the hand or with a small stick will 

 cover the seed sufficiently ; but seeds thus sown upon the sur- 

 face, unless the weather be moist, should have a gentle water- 

 ing for two or three evenings with the ordinary rose watering- 

 pot, and be shaded from the strong sun. Seeds not very small, 

 as radish, &c., may be sown in drills half an inch or an inch 

 deep, or upon a surface left somewhat rough, and must then be 

 pretty thoroughly raked in. 



The larger seeds, as beets, beans, &c., may be covered from 

 one to two inches deep, the latter depth being sufficient for the 

 largest seeds in the hottest weather, if the second general rule 

 be regarded. 



COMBINATION OF CROPS. 



This is a system of arrangement by which various crops are 

 raised in the same season, and partly at the same time, upon 

 the same ground. The planting of pumpkins with corn is a 

 familiar instance among farm crops, and an increase of about 

 one fourth has been supposed to result from alternating the 

 rows of corn with potatoes. In the neighborhood of cities, 

 where land becomes very valuable, it is common to sow in the 

 fall upon the same ground alternate rows of lettuce and spin- 

 ach or corn salad. The spinach or corn salad being cut very 

 early in the spring, the lettuce may be cultivated for early 

 head salad. 



