2o6 GARDEN STEPS 



be prepared according to the directions given in 

 the chapter on fertihzer. Ordinary earth from the 

 garden is not suitable. It will be Hkely to pack 

 down in the box, and the seed will have little en- 

 couragement to sprout. 



Drainage. — Be sure to provide drainage, so that 

 the water will not stand in the box. If the joints 

 are water-tight, holes must be made in the bottom. 

 If care is used in watering the earth, httle water will 

 run out; but if the children are to handle the seed 

 box, a tray to catch the surplus water had better be 

 provided. This may be bought for the purpose, or 

 any flat pan will serve well enough. The prepara- 

 tion of these boxes gives an excellent exercise for 

 the manual training hour. 



Planting. — When the earth is read}', with a match 

 make little holes an inch apart and one fourth of an 

 inch deep. Into each of these drop two seeds. This 

 should be done about eight or ten weeks before it is 

 time to set the plants in the garden. 



Transplanting. — If two seeds sprout in the same 

 place, it is wise to cut off the smaller plant, letting 

 one little plant grow in each spot. When they are 

 two inches high, either transplant to a hotbed if 

 you have one, or get another box and set out the 

 plants in the two boxes, two inches apart. Pots 

 are sometimes recommended for this purpose, but 

 they make a great deal more work than a box and 

 seldom bring as good results. 



