168 



THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



contact with the soil particles, or would sink too deeply into 

 the soil. They are best sown in circular patches about a foot 



FlG. 63. How to raise tender annuals. 

 A, a hotbed ; B, cocoa- nut fibre, ashes, 

 or soil ; C, seedlings in pots and pans ; 

 D, seedlings in boxes. 



B 



FIG. 64. Annuals. Thinning-out seedlings. 

 A, watering clump of seedlings before 

 thinning is done ; B, the result of thin- 

 ning-out. Plants growing sturdily. 



and a half in diameter, or in rows. The ground, having been 

 dug a few weeks previously, is lightly scratched with a kind 

 of circular motion of the rake, and over this the seeds are scattered 

 evenly and very thinly, fine soil is then sifted or sprinkled over 



the seeds and lightly pressed down 

 on them. Roughly speaking, the 

 seeds should be covered with soil to 

 a depth equal to their own diameter. 

 Very small seeds may be mixed with 

 a little fine dry sand to ensure even 

 and thin distribution. If sown 

 thickly the seedlings compete for 

 air, moisture, and food, and suffer 

 in the struggle. If, in spite of all 

 precautions, the seedlings are too 

 thick, they must be carefully thinned 



FiG.6 S .-Annuais. Staking. \ shows about a fortnight after they appear 

 how to stake weakly - growing above the surface, and in any case 

 annuals in clumps ; B, shows how they must be thoroughly thinned 



to stake tall -growing annuals ; C, i_ i i i i ITTI 



shows how to prepare the tall stakes! Whel \ ab Ut &tl mCh ^ When 



which should be painted dark green, thinning is completely the plants left 



