44 GARDENING B V MYSELF. 



be spread evenly over the bed before you 

 begin the digging ; and no manure should be 

 used, of any kind, that is not well decayed 

 and in a dry, crumbly state that will let it 

 mix easily with the mould. 



If you want to draw earth from one part 

 of the bed to another Avith your rake, then 

 hold the handle low. 



To go back to our verbenas. As soon as 

 you see the plants fairly up, give them plen- 

 ty of light and sunshine ; else they will run 

 up slim and tall like a boy that has out- 

 grown his strength ; and be what the gar- 

 deners call '' drawn." And as soon as the 

 first little rough leaves begin* to appear, pot 

 the seedlings off singly in very small pots — 

 the smaller the better. All house seedlings 

 should be treated in the same way, if you 

 have small pots enough. If not, then use a 

 larger size, and put three plants in each ; 

 setting them round the edge at even dis- 

 tances apart. Then when they are to be set 

 in the open ground, turn out the whole ball 

 of earth into your hand, and neatly break 



