104 YARD AND GAEDEN 



The width and length may vary to suit the 

 planter, although a box a foot and a half wide 

 and two and a half or three feet long is more 

 easily handled, but the depth must not be 

 greater than four inches. Three, probably, for 

 the average amateur is better. Empty cigar 

 boxes are often used, and do very well indeed. 

 Bore half a dozen holes in the bottom and over 

 these place bits of crock, concave enough in 

 form to permit surplus water to escape under 

 them easily and quickly. Next put in a layer 

 of coarse earth — unsifted loam — and, on top of 

 this, place the finer soil. This must be sifted, 

 made rich with old manure, with sand enough 

 added to render it thoroughly porous. Press 

 the soil down firmly, especially along the ends 

 and sides and in the corners, dampen slightly, 

 and sow the seed. 



Sow very fine seed broadcast, scattering it 

 thinly over the surface and pressing it in the 

 soil with a block of wood. For larger seeds, 

 sprinkle a little dirt on top — barely enough to 

 cover them — and for seeds large enough to 

 handle separately supply a heavier covering of 

 soil. A safe rule to apply is to plant the big 

 seeds at a de])th three times their diameter. If, 

 after the seed is planted, it appears that the 



