40 THE CULTIVATED EVERGREENS 



in the center. This width facilitates sowing, covering, and 

 weeding operations. A very Hght wooden roller or the back 

 of a spade can be used to smooth down the seed-bed. Thus 

 the seeds can be seen easily, and a more even sowing accom- 

 plished. Sowing should be done on a calm day, covering the 

 seed with a sandy loam to a depth of about four times the 

 thickness of the seeds, and again passing the roller over the 

 beds or patting with back of a spade. The beds should be 

 shaded either with lath frames or overhead brush shades, both 

 proving satisfactory. The overhead brush shade, seven to nine 

 feet high, is perhaps nearer to nature and requires less care. 

 At no time should the seed-beds be allowed to dry out until 

 the young plants are sufficiently developed and strong enough 

 to stand draught, which is about seven to ten weeks after 

 sowing. Lath frames should be watched closely in damp or hot 

 weather and sufficient air supplied, otherwise the tender seed- 

 lings will suffer from dampening, especially if they have been sown 

 quite thick. Sharp clean sand spread evenly to the thickness of 

 about one-twelfth of an inch will usually remedy damping off. 



"Seed-beds should be kept clean from weeds, especially 

 during hot and dry weather. Such weeds rooting deeply should 

 be removed carefully, or cut with a sharp knife. The slightest 

 heaving of soil gives a chance for the drying out of the tender 

 seedlings. The seed-beds should be covered in the early winter 

 with clean marsh hay to the depth of about one inch, to prevent 

 thawing and freezing. This should not be done until the ground 

 is frozen to about three to four inches. The plant should be 

 allowed to remain in the seed-bed for two full years. Some 

 gardeners transplant the second year in beds prepared the same 

 as the seed-beds, where they can easily be taken care of, 

 watered, and shaded. They should remain in these beds for 

 one or two years, and then planted in a permanent position." 



