120 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



process alone, it is thus seen, is not sufficient to give the 

 requisite firmness it is the beating or treading plus the 

 use of a binding manure. Some gardeners sow their 

 seed on undug land, arguing that as it is firm it will 

 answer the purpose. In most cases such plots will serve 

 but poorly, as aeration, drainage and easy penetration 

 of the roots, necessary qualities for proper growth, are 

 considerably hindered. 



Early in March or towards the end of February, if the 

 weather is fine and the ground fairly dry, rake over the 

 bed until the surface is quite free of stones and even 

 small lumps, then press it down as suggested above. 

 Next, run a stick along the surface and thus make a 

 shallow drill about three quarters of an inch deep. Take 

 a handful of powdered charcoal or soot mixed with fine 

 rich soil and sprinkle it along the drill, half filling it. 

 Then put the seeds in, not too thickly, cover over with 

 soil and press down the earth gently. The performance 

 is repeated until the whole bed is drilled and sown in this 

 way. A space of about six inches should separate the rows. 



In a short while, when the seedlings are three inches 

 high, they must be thinned, leaving from four inches to a 

 foot between them, according to whether the varieties 

 are of medium or large growth. 



As soon as this has been done, the hoe should be 

 run between the drills, chiefly with the idea of scratching 

 out weeds, for onion beds are extremely prone to the 

 weed habit. Hoeing may well be repeated once a week. 



Whilst the seedlings are still young, growth may be 

 hastened by applying equal quantities of sulphate of 

 ammonia, superphosphate, and steamed bone flour. (A 

 half an ounce of each per square yard.) 



