CHAPTER V 



THE SEED-BED 



nn HE possessor of a garden, large or small, 

 should have a seed-bed, where seeds of 

 perennials and some of the annuals can be 

 sown and grown until large enough to be 

 permanently placed. Not only will this bed 

 give great pleasure in enabling one to watch 

 the plants from the time the first tiny leaf 

 appears, but also when laden with blossoms 

 in fullest beauty. The knowledge that you 

 have raised them gives a thrill of pride in 

 the result which no bought plants, however 

 beautiful, can impart. It is not necessary 

 to prepare the seed-bed over a foot in depth, 

 but the soil must be very light and fine, as 

 well as rich. It is best, if possible, to have 

 a portion of the bed somewhat shaded from 

 the sun for a part of the day. If this com- 



57 



