120 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



The seed may be scattered broadcast; but that 

 makes the care of the plants more difficult. Sow 

 thickly along the lines, pat the rows down with the 

 hoe or press a narrow board along them. Soil 

 may be sifted over the surface instead; but this 

 slight firming hurries germination a bit. Some 

 gardeners even run the lawn-roller over the 

 bed. 



To maintain a moist surface, the bed may be cov- 

 ered with something rather light and loosely 

 woven. Old burlap bagging works well for that 

 purpose. Watering the bagging itself with the 

 garden sprinkler moistens the surface and main- 

 tains an evenly moist condition of the whole 

 bed. Watch closely. As soon as germination be- 

 gins, the cover should be raised, not removed en- 

 tirely at first. Instead, raise the bagging above 

 the surface on stakes driven close enough to pre- 

 vent sagging. That will furnish shade for the 

 young plants when needed and protect the frail 

 growth from hard rain or sudden winds. Gradu- 

 ally, as the tiny plants develop, the burlap cover 

 is removed. Meanwhile, the plants may still be 

 watered through the bagging. Whether started 

 in trays or in the hotbed or the garden, whether 

 for the early crop or for winter use, the same care 

 is needed to prevent damping-off or stem-rot. Pro- 

 vide an unvarying supply of moisture ; protect the 

 young plants from sudden changes; keep the soil 

 stirred and the weeds nipped; and in about six 



