358 9ABDJOraN FOE 



In concluding the section 01 this oook devoted to veg- 

 etable growing, we will add a few general ''nstructions 

 that may have been omitted in the details already given. 

 In sowing all kinds of seeds, more particularly those of 

 small size, be careful, if the soil is dry, to "firm''' or 

 press down the surface of the bed or row, after sowing, 

 with the feet, or a light roller, or the back; of a spade, 

 more especially if the weather is beginning to get warm. 

 Crops are often lost through the failure of the seeds to 

 germinate, for the simple reason that the soil is left loose 

 about the tiny seeds, and the dry atmosphere penetrates 

 to them, shriveling them up until all vitality is destroyed. 

 We sow nearly all vegetable crops in rows, and in every 

 case, as soon as the seed is sown, it is pressed down in the 

 drill with the foot, then covered up level by the back of a 

 rake drawn lengthways with the drills, and again firmed 

 by the roller or back of a spade. For want of this simple 

 precaution, perhaps one-fourth of all seeds sown fail to 

 germinate, and the seedsman is blamed, while the fault 

 is owing entirely to the ignorance or carelessness of the 

 planter. Again, for the same reason, when setting out 

 plants of any kind, be certain that the soil is pressed 

 close to the root. In our large plantings in market 

 gardening, particularly in summer, we make it a rule in 

 dry weather to turn back on the row after planting it 

 with the dibber or trowel, and press the earth firmly to 

 each plant with the foot. We have seen whole acres of 

 Celsry, Cabbage, and Strawberry plants lost solely through 

 neglect of this precaution. 



Never work the soil while it is so wet as to clog. 

 Better wait a week for it to dry than to stir it if wet. 



In no work in which men are engaged is the adage, "A 

 stitch in time saves nine," more applicable than to the 

 work of the farm or garden. The instant that weeda 



