IN THE FRONT YARD. 49 



gunnjsacking or soft cloth that will keep moist will 

 answer; and this is kept damp all the while, and is 

 removed as soon as the tiny plants appear. 



I have been troubled immensely in trying to grow 

 seeds out of doors in the uncertain climate of the west, 

 till with long and patient experiments I solved the 

 problem. Take boards about a foot wide and build a pen 

 4x16; or make your bed according to the number of 

 plants you want to raise. I often have 20 of that 

 size. 'JSTail laths together on crosspieces to shut out half 

 the sun. It takes about 16 laths for a square. Your 

 crosspieces are nailed on about two inches from the ends 

 of the laths. Push the alternate laths over a little so you 

 will gain a little more than four feet in the length of 

 your square. You will find this an advantage, for they 

 will catch on the boards more readily and will not be so 

 easily blown off. You must brace the square so it will 

 not get out of shape, ^ow prepare the soil in your pen 

 thoroughly. You can do it best before your pen is made. 

 Have the gi'ound perfectly level. Sow the seed and 

 cover according to the size of the seed. See that the 

 earth is moist and in good condition before you sow. 

 Having covered the seed put gimnysacking over them 

 and give them a good soaking every night. Your screens 

 are made so you can put them on and off readily. You 

 must take them off to water of course. Keep them on 

 all the time. When your seeds begin to come up (and 

 they cannot help coming up with this process) take 

 of the gimnysacking and water as the plants need it. 

 If you are raising oriental poppies keep the screen on 



