LUTHER BURBANK 



be avoided. Eighteen inches square, outside 

 measure, four and one-half inches deep, inside 

 measure, is a good size. 



Two opposite sides are of common board 

 lumber three-quarters or seven-eighths of an inch 

 thick; the other sides, are a little less than half 

 an inch thick. The bottoms are made of redwood 

 "shakes" which are about one-fourth of an inch 

 thick; two or more spaces of an eighth of an 

 inch being left for drainage. Across the bottoms 

 are nailed three strips which add rigidity and 

 strength as well as affording better ventilation 

 and drainage. After all the parts are carefully 

 fitted, the joints are sometimes dipped in linseed 

 oil, before being strongly nailed together. This 

 gives durability and tends to prevent the nails 

 from rusting out. 



These redwood boxes may be used for many 

 years if sterilized once a year by being placed for 

 about three or four minutes in boiling water. 



A suitable soil is the first requisite in raising 

 seedlings in boxes. The mixture which I have 

 generally found best for use in the early winter 

 for raising seedlings in boxes in the greenhouse, 

 is compounded about as follows : One-half clean, 

 rather coarse, sharp sand; with about forty per 

 cent, of some good pasture or forest soil which 

 generally contains more or less leaf mould. To 



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