188 SOWING. 



sowing. The spring- of the year is the best time for 

 raising- exotics ; because they then have our summer 

 to encourage and establish their growth. 



A properly chosen and well-prepared seed-bed is 

 indispensably necessary for every kind of seed ; it 

 should always be rich, as well as of a suitable tem- 

 perament for their reception. The stronger a seed- 

 ling rises, the better able is it to withstand the vicis- 

 situdes of the weather. Many garden plants are 

 raised in seed-beds, and from thence transplanted to 

 where they are to stand for good. Some, like corn, 

 are sown where they are intended to remain ; either 

 in drills or broadcast. 



In both field and garden culture, drilling is certainly 

 the best, as well as the neatest mode ; provided always 

 that the seedlings be duly and timeously regulated in 

 their inter-distances, according to the spaces respect- 

 ively required. By such means all crowding is 

 avoided, and every facility given for the operations 

 of the hand or horse-hoe. Ridge-drilling that is, 

 throwing two furrows together with the plough after 

 the manure is spread, the seed being afterwards drilled 

 along between is suitable for turnips, beet, &c. ; 

 because the seeds are deposited not only in a mound 

 of friable soil, but also in immediate contact with an 

 accumulated portion of the manure, both favourable 

 to the strong and quick growth of the seedlings. So 

 necessary is it that every plant should enjoy its 

 natural required space, that dibbing both wheat and 



