METHODS OF SOWING SEEDS 



81 



(2) dropping the seed, (3) covering, and (4) firming. The drills 

 may be made either with a marker (Fig. 43), which makes three 

 or four drills at a time, or with the end of a rake or hoe handle 

 drawn along a line stretched in the desired position. For peas 

 or beans a deeper drill may be made with a hoe or the plow attach- 

 ment of a wheel hoe. After the seed is dropped, usually by rolling 



Fig. 44. — Garden aeed drill in operation. 



a pinch of seed at a time between the thumb and first two fingers, 

 it is covered with a rake, or, in the case of deep planting, with a 

 hoe or wheel hoe. The soil is firmed over the seed by the use of 

 the feet, the back of a hoe or a garden roller. For seeds to be 

 planted in hills it is customary to fine the soil and make a depres- 

 sion with a hoe where each hill is to stand, then to drop the seed, 

 and cover and firm it with the same implement. 



