SEED-TIME. 29 



would never thrive if sown, for the earth would 

 get hard and dry, and without moisture, heat, 

 and air, seeds will not flourish. Nothing for it 

 but wait. Robert Low is busy in his garden 

 Robert is further up the brae and his land 

 drier an early garden. He always wins the 

 prizes for onions and carrots ; but Sandy with 

 his heavy land beats him every year for leeks 

 and cabbages. Robert's are all run to seed 

 before show day. Robert has no patience ; he 

 has a reputation for being first finished, and 

 that he must keep up, whatever the cost. His 

 land being drier, and containing a good pro- 

 portion of sand, can be wrought at any time 

 without damage ; but in the low gardens the 

 land has to be " timed," and it is only by ex- 

 perience that the owner finds out the proper 

 time to dig and sow. 



So also is it with the farmer. While the sun 

 shines hot during the day, the frost at night 

 keeps the earth cold and damp. It is only 

 when the drying winds of March and April 



