30 FARM-GARDENING AND SEED-GROWING. 



the soil so thoroughly as can bo done by the plow and 

 harrow, nor no trenching much surpass in its results 

 that done by thorough subsoiling." Still, cold-beds and 

 small pieces of ground must sometimes be dug, and it is 

 advisable that it be done well. Never set the spade far 

 back ; or, in other words, take a little earth at one time, 

 invert it, and pulverize well with the spade, if one is used, 

 but the " spading-fork " will be found a good substitute, 

 and much better for this purpose. 



Rake. The ordinary wooden rake contains ten teeth; 

 those best adapted to garden use have fourteen. In cov- 

 ering seed, rake lengthwise with the rows, taking from 

 two to four rows together, breaking lumps with the back 

 of the rake. In smoothing the surface for sowing, rake as 

 much as possible from the sides, to avoid unnecessary 

 treading over the bed. Steel rakes have fine sharp teeth, 

 and are very useful where it is important to have the sur- 

 face soil extra fine. "When used as a substitute for the 

 hoe, various sizes are necessary to accommodate the width 

 between the rows. 



Garden-Line* This is very essential where straight 

 rows are desired, and such certainly always should be. 



Let the line be strong, though not heavy, as long as 

 the lands, and for convenience be wound on a reel, and 

 have a sharp-pointed iron at each end for fastening into the 

 earth. To get the line perfectly straight, set the pin at 

 one end, unreel the line, draw it tight^ and fasten the reel- 

 pin firmly in the earth ; return to the center, raise the line 

 with the thumb and finger, four or five feet from the 

 ground, and let it quickly descend using the line in fact 

 in the same manner as a carpenter uses a chalk-line. 



Markers. These are indispensable in marking rows for 

 sowing seeds or setting plants. To make them, take a 

 piece of 4x4 joist six and a half feet long, to which attach 

 a handle and cross-piece, the whole forming the letter "J"' 



