THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 245 



them in very large quantities, and, if properly 

 packed, quickly transported, and promptly set out 

 in the evening following their reception, and 

 watered abundantly, they rarely fail. 



There are decided advantages, however, in 

 raising our own plants, especially if midsummer 

 should prove dry and hot, or the plants must be 

 long in transit. When they are growing in our 

 own garden, they can be moved with very slight 

 check to their growth. In starting the seed there, 

 is no necessity for hot-bed or cold-frame. It may 

 be put in the ground the first week of April, and 

 the best plants are thus secured. Much is gained 

 by preparing a warm but not dry plot of ground 

 in autumn, making it very rich with short, half- 

 decayed stable-manure. This preparation should 

 be begun as soon as possible after the soaking 

 September rains. Having thoroughly incorpo- 

 rated and mixed evenly in the soil an abundance 

 of the manure described, leave the ground un- 

 touched for three weeks. The warm fertilizer 

 will cause great numbers of weed-seeds to ger- 

 minate. When these thrifty pests are a few inches 

 high, dig them under and bring up the bottom 

 soil. The warmth and light will immediately start 

 a new and vigorous growth of weeds, which in 

 turn should be dug under. If the celery seed 

 bed be made early enough, this process can be 



