28 A MANUAL OF 



siding, a little less in length than the width of 

 the bed, is sharpened to an edge on one of its 

 sides. This is forced into the soil to the depth 

 the plants are expected to require ; a row of 

 plants is then placed in this groove, at a proper 

 distance apart, and the soil placed firmly 

 against them. Care must be taken that they 

 are placed straight or upright ; for if laid over 

 horizontally, they must necessarily grow 

 crooked. The distance apart will depend 

 upon the size of the plant and length of time 

 it is expected to remain before another re- 

 moval. 



ASSORTING. Before pricking them out in 

 this manner, it is always well to assort the 

 plants, placing those of equal size together, 

 otherwise the more vigorous will overreach 

 and crowd the weaker ones to their permanent 

 injury. As soon as the bed is filled, a copious 

 watering should be given and the bed shaded 

 for a day or more. The shutters previously 

 described are very useful for shading ; and late 

 in the season, when the sun's rays become 

 powerful under the glasses, it is frequently 

 found necessary to cover the glass with a thick 

 coating of common lime whitewash. 



MICE, both the common house species and 



