Seeds, Sowing, Thinning-out, and Transplanting. 121 



After sowing, cover up the seed, either by raking, by pulling 

 soil into the drills, or, if the bed and seeds are small, by a thin 

 scattering of fine dry soil. The soil above the seed must then 

 be compacted, particularly when it is likely to become drier, 

 rather than moister, as is the case in the spring and summer. 

 On heavy soil considerable discretion must be used over this 

 operation, as the soil will be liable to cake if it should happen to 

 be too moist, and at all times on such soils pressing should 

 be done gently. On light soils the rows should be trodden down, 

 rolled, or beaten with the back of a spade. The reason for 

 this is to induce the moisture in the soil below to rise to the 

 surface by capillary attraction, and so afford sufficient for the 

 germination of the seed. Since this compacting of the surface 

 induces the soil moisture to rise, some of it passes away by 

 evaporation into the atmosphere, and is thus lost to the plants. 

 It is therefore important that the soil be stirred again as soon 

 as the seedlings begin to show, so as to prevent an undue 

 evaporation ; indeed, the space between the rows should 

 be kept stirred even before the seeds germinate, and those 

 which are planted deep, as peas, may have the soil compacted 

 about them and the surface layer may be loosened immediately 

 afterwards. 



When plants have to be transplanted, a space should be 

 reserved for seed beds near the buildings and water supply, 

 so that they can receive every necessary attention in watering, 

 shading from the sun, and protecting from frost and from birds. 



In hot dry weather the bed 

 should be shaded until the 

 seedlings appear. This may 

 be done in many ways, but 

 one of the best methods is to 

 fix one or more lath screens, 

 as illustrated, over the bed. 

 This is laid on pegs, so as to 

 stand from one to two feet 

 above the soil. Such a screen, 

 Lath screen. whilst giving partial shade, 



permits a free circulation of air, and can be removed at 

 any time for watering or weeding. Another useful screen is 



