33 FAKif -GARDENING AND SEED-GROWING. 



should bo fully matured, it is also important to gather 

 them as soon as they are ripe. 



The thrashing of seeds must be carefully done, to avoid 

 breaking with the flail, and grinding under foot, especially 

 those of a soft and oily nature. Thrashing should be 

 done, so far as practicable, when the air is dry. In fer- 

 menting seeds of pulpy vegetables for washing, judgment 

 is required, for while, as a rule, no seeds are injured so far 

 as germinating is concerned so long as they lie in the^iat- 

 ural juice, yet if allowed to remain longer than necessary 

 to remove the mucilaginous covering they soon lose color. 



In washing, it is very essential that it be done in the 

 early part of a clear day, that the seeds shall not be long 

 wet by water, lest some may sprout, and hence be spoiled. 

 Never put seeds away in bulk, until they are thoroughly 

 free from moisture. 



FALL PLOWING. 



I desire to call the attention of those who till the soil, 

 especially those who may go into the business of farm- 

 gardening or seed-growing, to the importance, in my 

 opinion, of plowing land in the fall. The subject has 

 been discussed at various times, and while some have 

 asserted that it is productive of but little or no good 

 results, yet there are some who deem this practice of 

 great importance as being vastly beneficial to the soil. 



It is the custom almost universally among market-gar- 

 deners, with whom it is important to have the soil fine 

 and free from lumps, to plow their ground deeply and 

 harrow thoroughly after the crops have been removed in 

 the fall, for they understand full well there is nothing 

 which will so completely aid in pulverizing the soil as 

 the action of frost, and being loosened by the plow, the 

 frost can act more effectually during the winter ; and 

 moreover, tho sun acts more forcibly upon it in the 



