GARDENING BY M YSELF. 5 i 



dislike transplanting ; and they do certainly 

 need extra care. But I think I have trans- 

 planted every one of those named above, and 

 had them do well. One of the first things I 

 do in the spring, when the ground is clear- 

 ed and softened, is to examine my flower 

 beds very closely, to find out any stray 

 seedlings that may have come up, and to 

 move them to prepared quarters. Of 

 course this examination must be before the 

 ground is stirred. 



Dig the place for these, or for seeds, not 

 when it is wet ; making it fine and soft ; 

 stake out a charmed circle a foot or so broad 

 with neat slender sticks ; and there sow 

 your seeds — not too deep. Be careful to 

 cover them according to the size of the 

 seeds — sweet peas are the only exception ; 

 and let the covering be too shallow rather 

 than too deep. Seeds covered too lightly 

 may come up (so says Mrs. Loudon) by dint 

 of very favourable weather ; but seeds cov- 

 ered too deep never can. Press down the 

 earth gently the first thing, and the last 



