74 



Garden steps 



is not at hand, the rake handle will do, though it 

 does not give so much space for scattering the seeds. 

 Sow the seed, three or four to the inch, in this crease. 

 Now press the earth down firmly above the seeds 

 with the rake, or walk over the row. With the firm 



Planting Beets 



Make the earth soft, then lay the strip of scantling, and tread it in, to 

 make a crease an inch deep. Cover and make the soil firm. 



bed made beneath the seed by pressing in the stick, 

 and with the soft earth pressed firmly about it from 

 above, the seed will not dry out if the weather is hot. 



Before leaving the row, scatter just a little soft 

 earth over it, or scratch the surface Hghtly with the 

 rake. This leaves a thin dust mulch, which will 

 keep the top surface from drying out and cracking. 



Width of Rows. — If there is room in the garden, 

 it is easier to care for the beets in rbws about 



