THE PRODUCTION OF PLANTS 37 



stroke off even with the top and firm the soil 

 slightly by means of a small piece of smooth board. 

 Mark off drills ]/\ inch in depth and 2 inches apart 

 and scatter the seeds very thinly in these. After 

 the seeds are distributed, place a little leaf mold or 

 other fine soil in the sieve and sift lightly over the 

 seeds. The covering should be very light, not more 

 than % inch deep. After the covering is sifted on, 

 the soil should again be slightly firmed and moist- 

 ened. The tray is then ready to set near a window 

 in a room where a living temperature is maintained 

 and where care can be taken that the soil is moist- 

 ened as often as it shows indications of dryness. 



The seeds will generally germinate in about 14 

 days, and as soon as the ' seedlings appear the 

 tray must be kept where there is plenty of light. If 

 the plants are started in an ordinary window it may 

 be necessary to turn the box each day to prevent 

 their becoming drawn toward the light. In three 

 weeks after the plants appear, or when they have 

 formed two or three leaves in addition to the seed- 

 leaves, they can be pricked out or transplanted to 

 other boxes or into a cold-frame and given about 

 2 inches space in each direction for their develop- 

 ment. 



Starting Plants in Greenhouse or Hotbed. 

 Where a considerable number of extra early plants 

 are desired, it will be necessary to sow the seed in 

 a greenhouse bench or in a hotbed. If sown in a 

 greenhouse bench the location should be in a rather 

 cool part of the house and where the plants will 



