2O THE NEW HORTICULTURE. 



next to the ground, nail a piece of i x 3-inch plank, to which 

 the ends of the mosquito-bar are to be tacked. Stretch a 

 bar over the frame after the seeds are sown and covered. 

 The shade afforded by the mosquito-bar is just what the 

 young cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, or other seed requires in 

 summer, though, if at the South, and more is desired, a light 

 sprinkling of hay, free from weed seeds, for a few days, will 

 be sufficient. Water can be applied from the sprinkler on 

 and through the bar, which is not to be removed, except once 

 for hand weeding, when the plants are half-grown. This 

 should always be done in the morning or at mid-day, when 

 the moths are at rest, never late in the evening. This form 

 of bed and covering will answer perfectly for all kinds of 

 flower or vegetable seeds to be planted in warm weather or 

 when glass is not required, and if carefully done, will afford 

 perfect protection and give nice, clean plants when the time 

 comes to set. See that the mosquito-bar fits close all around, 

 and is free from even a small hole, for the ingenuity and per- 

 ception of moths is simply wonderful, and they will find the 

 smallest opening, if one be left. 



As, next to good, healthy plants, rich ground is of the 

 utmost importance, I will discuss the subject of fertilizers in 

 the following chapter. 



