The Gardener's New Director. 279 



ly ftrong ; for were they to reft on bricks, they would 

 imbibe too much moifture. 



Having laid the comport carefully in the boxes, fo as 

 not to mifplace the oyfter-ftiells, take your feed from the 

 feed-bags, and lay them in frefh water for fix hours ; 

 then lay on them fome fine powdered chalk, which will 

 colour them white, fo as they may be diftinguifhed from 

 the black colour of the mould, that you may fee how 

 and where you fow ; place them in rows, one inch row 

 from row, and half an inch feed from feed; lightly co- 

 vering them; fetting a fmall bit of wood at the head 

 and foot of each row, that you may know where to find 

 their roots when they are to be lilted, after their ftcd- 

 leaf is quite decayed ; cover them with an inch of the 

 fame mould, and let the boxes have a fouth-eaft alpe^;, 

 but not too near a hedge or w:;ll, and in fuch a fituation 

 as they may enjoy the whole rays of the fun in winter: 

 In 05loher or November fome of thefe feedlings will come 

 above ground with their feed-leaf, and the hufk of the 

 feed on its top, exa<5lly like an onion, when you fliould 

 lay on the furface of the feedling-box fome very fine 

 old rotten tan-bark, to protect them from the froft ; ob- 

 ferve alfo to cover them every night with the wooden 

 covers, and in great rains and fnows: but to be raifed in 

 the day-time, except when it fnows; though even then 

 the covers Ihould be fupported, to allow the air to re- 

 frelh them ; for the greater certainty of preferving them 

 from moulding, when they will thrive the better ; and 



in this feafon they muft be carefully attended. If the 



froft is very intenfe, lay in a quantity of ftraw under the 

 bottom of the box, as well as over the covers, which I 

 would chufe fhould fold over the feedling-boxcs. 



In this fituation, and with this care, they may re- 

 main until February or March^ when the covers may be 

 opened all day, and at night, as tliey have the fmall 

 covering of bark over them, through which a fudden 

 dafti of rain cannot fo eafily penetrate ; nor would I re- 

 move their covering of bark from them, until their 

 leaves are gone, as they may receive fome nourifhment 

 from it, as well as from the compofl wherein they are 

 fown ; and in dry feafons, when you are to give them 



water. 



