RAISING PLANTS IN NURSERIES. 



199 



level than the beds, so as to act as embankments to keep the 

 water on the beds. 



/'. SoiviiKj the Sped Beds. 



The surface of the seed beds having been reduced to a fine 

 degree of division, the seed is sown, either broadcast or in 

 hnes or drills ; the latter is frequently preferred, as it 

 facilitates weeding. Broadcast sowing is done, as described 

 on page 160, by scattering the seed evenly over the whole 

 seed bed. 



Line sowing may be done by pressing the seed individually 



into the ground, or by opening out shallow drills at suitable 

 intervals, and placing the seed into these ; the drills can run 

 longitudinally over the seed bed, or crossways, the latter 

 facilitating weeding. The depth of the seed drills depends on 

 the species, and ranges from about ^ of an inch to 2 inches. 

 Similarly, the distance between the seed drills depends on the 

 slower or faster development of the seedlings and the time 

 they are to remain in the seed beds ; it varies from 6 inches 

 to upwards of a foot. The seed drills can be made by hand, 

 with a peg, or narrow-pointed trowel-shaped hoe (Fig. 51), or 

 by pressing wedge- or square-shaped battens into the ground 

 (Fig. 52). In fact, quite a variety of instruments have been 



