EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 129 



When thoroughly wet, spread newspapers all over them, and for two 

 or three days sprinkle the seeds every night through the newspapers. 

 This keeps the soil moist, and the seeds will sprout very quickly. In 

 two days lettuce will show itself; and as soon as the tiny seedlings are 

 up, the papers must be removed directly, else they will damp off. 

 Planting in sods has been recommended for those vegetables which, 

 having a top root, would not transplant readily. I have tried it with 

 great success, with melons and cucumbers. Sods can be cut from the 

 orchard around the apple trees, or from the road sides. Put them grass 

 side down in the hot-bed, and plant the seeds in the soil clinging to 

 their roots. Cover them with sand. Water and shade with papers. 

 Squashes, Corn and Egg plants can be planted in the same way. The 

 sods can be put into, or near a window in the barn, and the seeds will 

 sprout soon. To transplant, the sods can be cut into pieces, and the 

 plants in them placed in the holes prepared for them. For Melons and 

 Cucumbers, they should be made very rich with manure ; the grass will 

 soon decay, and the vines will grow most rapidly. 



Transplanting. 



This should always be done after sunset. If the plants are removed 

 at this time, they will never know that they have changed their quarters. 

 I have transplanted tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, etc., after seven o'clock 

 in the evening, and not a leaf has wilted the next day. Rhubarb leaves 

 are excellent to cover young plants that are planted by daylight ; they 

 are a better protection from the sun than newspapers, as they wilt, and 

 do not blow off. 



Care of Hot-led. 



Any one can make and plant a hot-bed, but it requires more brains 

 than a common laborer always possesses, to take care of one. One hour's 

 neglect at noontime will scorch every tender plant ; the same time, at 

 night, may freeze it. Every morning, noon and night, it should be 

 visited. If the night is chilly, cover it tightly with old carpets, mattings 

 or boards ; and let them remain until the sun strikes clear and warm 

 upon the sashes. If the morning air is warm, lift the glasses a little, 

 and by noontime admit more air. Don't keep the plants so warm that 

 they will spindle up nor so cool that they will chill. You must exer- 

 cise your common sense, and thereby learn to keep just the right heat; 

 a little experience will soon teach you how to manage the sashes. The 

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