QUANTITY PRODUCTION 281 



and expeditiously with the aid of a triangular bit 

 of board an inch or so wide nailed across another 

 longer piece, so that when drawn along a garden 

 line it makes a narrow furrow of exact width and 

 uniform depth throughout. 



Plant the seeds about one-half inch to an inch 

 apart, and cover with a thin layer of soil; then 

 fill the furrow with sawdust. This is an impor- 

 tant matter with cherry and plum seeds, espe- 

 cially with the stoneless ones which must be given 

 every inducement to push through the soil. A 

 heavy, compact soil placed over cherry and plum 

 pits prevents a large number from pushing up 

 to the light. For this reason a sawdust covering 

 is preferred, and it also regulates the moisture 

 with exactness, allows for sufficient aeration, and 

 equalizes the temperature. Moreover, the saw- 

 dust is distasteful to slugs, thrips, cutworms, and 

 other insect pests. 



Peach, nectarine, and apricot seeds are planted 

 farther apart and a little deeper; quince, pear 

 and apple seeds are planted about the same as 

 plum seeds, both as to distance and depth, or in 

 large lots may be rather thickly sown in drills 

 or furrows six or eight inches wide and eighteen 

 to thirty inches apart. 



For growing seedlings of conifers — pines and 

 their allies — cold frames or shallow boxes are 



