118 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



to use trays, broad, shallow wooden boxes with 

 about 16x24 inches of surface and 3 inches deep, 

 boring several small holes in the bottom for drain- 

 age. The soil should be leaf-mold mixed with 

 sandy loam, although any fertile garden soil may 

 be used. Run this mixture through a wire sieve 

 with an %-inch mesh ; fill the trays ; and level off 

 and press the soil down with a bit of board. The 

 seed should then be sown thick in tiny half-inch 

 furrows 2 inches apart, or scattered evenly on the 

 surface. Sift over them a little of the leaf -mold 

 and sand mixture, not more than % inch deep, 

 just barely to cover the weak seeds. Place the 

 tray in the window of a moderately warm or cool 

 room. During the two weeks or so before the 

 seedlings start, maintain an even soil-moisture. 

 Too much water will puddle the soil and rot the 

 seed. The dry air of the room or drafts blowing 

 across the surface bake the soil and so hinder ger- 

 mination. To insure constant dampness on the 

 surface, by preventing evaporation, a wet cloth 

 or several thicknesses of soaked newspapers may 

 be spread over the top of the tray. Keeping this 

 cover moist by sprinkling, once a day, will be all 

 that is needed. Take a look beneath, now and 

 then. When the seedlings begin to appear, the 

 question of moisture is even more important, and 

 air and light must be considered as well. The tiny 

 plants must be only slightly damp. Too much 

 water sprinkled over them, at once, after allow- 



