VEGETABLE GARDENING 75 



should be nailed across each end, on the outside, 

 to assist in handling, and lifting about. Press 

 the soil or compost firm and smooth. Then make 

 shallow furrows about three inches apart. This 

 will allow seven rows running lengthwise of. the 

 flat. Into these furrows, carefully drop the seeds 

 about one inch apart and cover one-half inch deep, 

 and press the soil smooth. Prepare a thin wood 

 label, giving variety, and date of planting, and 

 tack this securely to the end of the flat. Other- 

 wise there is danger of the record being lost or 

 interchanged. It pays to be careful with your 

 records. 



The flats may be covered for a few days with 

 several thicknesses of old newspapers to retain 

 both heat and moisture. The Plant Incubator 

 is the ideal place for the flat, but if this is not 

 available, place the flat on the staging of a green- 

 house, or near a sunny window in a warm room. 

 The temperature should not be permitted to fall 

 below fifty degrees, even at night. A well man- 

 aged hot-bed does well for this purpose, but it 

 must be very carefully controlled, or the plants 

 will be " spindling " and tender. This can be 

 avoided by giving careful ventilation on mild 

 days. When the plants have formed the fourth 

 leaf, they should be transplanted into other flats 

 and set three inches apart each way. Do not pull 

 up the plants, but lift them one at a time, by using 

 a sharp splinter. Set them rather deep, and press 

 the soil firm. Give them a good watering, and 

 shade for two days. If only each alternate plant 

 is taken up, the remainder may be permitted to 

 remain where started. But the soil should be 



