26 BIGGLE GARDEN BOOK 



sprouting the seeds between damp cloths. At least 

 seventy per cent, of the seeds should sprout vigor- 

 ously. 



STARTING THE HOTBED PLANTS. Preparation 

 should be made the previous fall by storing away soil 

 to be used in starting the plants. Good garden or 

 field loam, or compost, as free as possible from weed 

 seeds, should be selected for this work. Loams in 

 which there is little or no clay are the best, as such 

 soils will not bake to any considerable extent. 



If a greenhouse is available, it is best to sow 

 in drills on the bench soil. If a hotbed is to be 

 used, it is more convenient to sow in drills in shallow 

 plant boxes (called "flats"). After filling the boxes, 

 press the soil firmly, especially in the corners and 

 along the sides. With a narrow straight-edge, such 

 as a piece of plastering lath, make furrows (drills) 

 about two inches apart and one-fourth to three-eighths 

 of an inch deep. The seed may be sown broadcast, 

 covering one-fourth inch, but the preference is to 

 sow in drills. The plants come up better and are 

 more convenient to lift at the time of transplanting. 

 After sowing, cover the seed or close the furrows, 

 firm the soil with a wooden block, and water thor- 

 oughly. The watering may be done either before or 

 after setting the flats in the hotbed. 



Beginners are often perplexed as to how thick to 

 sow the seed. This matter can be better regulated by 

 sowing in drills than when broadcasting. A flat the 

 size of an ordinary soap-box is large enough to grow 

 seven or eight hundred plants, or even more when 

 there are no mishaps. In sowing cabbage, lettuce, 

 pepper, tomato, eggplant, etc., from twelve to fifteen 

 seeds per each inch of furrow is about right. If the 

 furrows are of uniform length, the seeds may be 



