VEGETABLE PLANTS. 79 



rows than cabbage. They must not, however, 

 be covered as deeply as cabbage seeds. The 

 manner of sowing usually decides the crop. 

 If properly done, they will come up evenly 

 and produce a good crop of plants ; but if 

 improperly done, the chances of an even catch 

 are slim. 



The seeds must be covered but very lightly, 

 a mere sprinkling, enough to hide them from 

 sight, being sufficient. Then, to prevent 

 their drying out, the soil must be " firmed." 

 The simplest manner of doing this on a small 

 scale is to pack the soil on the rows with the 

 feet. Walk over each row twice, by placing 

 one foot as closely ahead of the other as pos- 

 sible, so that your whole weight will press 

 upon every inch of the row. Beds so treated 

 will come up evenly, when if this simple firm- 

 ing was omitted only here and there a plant 

 could be seen. 



Celery seeds are slow to germinate at the 

 best. Every thing being favorable, two weeks' 

 time will elapse between the sowing and the 

 first appearance of the plants. For this reason 

 if for no other, the plants should be in rows, 

 and the rows far enough apart, so they can be 

 easily hoed out and the weeds kept in check. 



