ON THE SOWING OF SEED 



partially secured by tramping the seed down very 

 firmly and watering the rows well after sowing. 

 The thorough firming of the soil over the seed is 

 of the utmost importance this and the depth at 

 \vhich the seeds are planted for in sowing seed in 

 the open ground much greater depth is necessary 

 than would be given the same seed in the hotbed. 



A case in point occurred this last season in my own 

 garden, when the planting of peas, for a succession, 

 and lima beans was left to an assistant. The most 

 careful directions were given as to the manner in 

 which they were to be sown. " Plant these peas," 

 I said, handing him a package of Nott's Excelsior, 

 " four inches deep and scatter them thinly in the 

 rows. Tramp the rows down firmly, and when you 

 have finished, go over the surface of the rows very 

 lightly with the lawn rake. Be very careful to only 

 scrape the surface of the soil, so as to leave a light 

 dust mulch, so that the soil will not dry out; and 

 these," handing a packet of Dreer's Bush Limas, 

 " are to be planted two inches deep, two inches 

 apart, in the drills, and the soil tramped down over, 

 but these being planted so much more shallow, 

 you need not use the rake. Make the drills for each 

 a foot apart for two drills, then leave two feet be- 



[79] 



