PLANTING THE GARDEN 43 



growth of the germ. A big spoonful of the potato 

 fertilizer at the bottom of the hill or beneath the 

 row will furnish some heat, and its nitrate of 

 soda will readily give up the nitrogen as a tonic 

 for the embryonic plant. Better than commercial 

 fertilizer for this purpose, however, is sheep drop- 

 pings or the carefully stored hen-manure. A 

 shovelful from the oldest barrel will make a tiny 

 hotbed of each hill ; and a sprinkle along the row 

 will provide both the heat and stimulus so much 

 needed. This plan of hurrying growth is particu- 

 larly satisfactory in starting vines, anything that 

 makes much growth before fruitage. It aids lima 

 beans and okra and other warm-climate vegetables 

 in adapting themselves to a shortened season. 

 Whichever is used, care must be taken to cover 

 the fertilizer with plenty of soil, lest the seeds 

 should be burned. By this means will be fur- 

 nished the heat so essential to rapid germination, 

 and the stimulant so much needed for the tiny 

 rootlets, the minute they start growing. 



With plenty of warmth and a stimulant at hand 

 to start growth, there must also be provided a 

 sufficient and continuous supply of moisture. 

 Soaking seeds is not enough. They would straight- 

 way dry out and be more impenetrable than before, 

 unless a constant store of water were furnished. 

 The necessary dampness is supplied by compacting 

 the soil as the seeds are covered. This process 

 of firming brings the particles of soil into close 



