26 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



mentation proceeds, and the earth will crack and sag 

 in places, disturbing the planting. 



Over the manure in the bed a layer of an inch of 

 old, well rotted manur&r-that from last year's hot- 

 bed will answer — should be placed. The object of 

 this is to feed the tender roots of the young plants 

 and prevent their penetrating down into the fresh 

 manure and being burned. 



Five or six inches of good melloW soil free from 

 stones, sticks and lumps should be placed on top of 

 this and raked fine and clear; if much rough stuff 

 is present it will be an advantage to sift an inch or 

 two of the top with a sand sieve. If the soil is very 

 dry it will be best to wet it down and wait for it to 

 dry to a moist, mellow condition before planting the 

 seed. Earth that will hold its form when pressed in 

 the hand, but looks mellow and "right" is best. 



If the manure is fresh and already heating when 

 applied — ^and the presence of moisture on the sash 

 will indicate this — the planting of the seed may be 

 started in twenty-four hours. The temperature may 

 also be ascertained by thrusting a fork down into the 

 manure and leaving it a few moments, when the tines, 

 on removing it, will show at once the amount of heat. 



In planting seed in hotbeds or other protected 

 places it must be borne in mind that it will not be 

 necessary to pliant as deeply as in the open, unpro- 

 tected ground. Conditions of heat and moisture be- 



