VEGETABLE GARDENING | 4) 
Seed sowing. The importance of planting good seed 
can hardly be overestimated. Upon the selection of 
the seed often depends the success or failure of the 
crop. The most important factors determining the 
quality of the seed are viability and truth to name 
and type. Good seed is reasonably free from weed 
seeds and dirt, but the grower should be sure his seed 
is clean before planting it. The best practice is to 
plant fresh seeds, preferably not more than one year 
old. Seeds should be stored in tight bags in cool dry 
places. Successful seed sowing requires a thoroughly 
prepared seed bed, because the more thorough the 
preparation of the seed bed, the less work is required 
to keep the ground in condition during the growing 
season. In the home garden the seeds are usually 
planted by hand by dropping them in the hills or fur- 
rows previously prepared. After. planting, the soil 
should be firmed by pressing it down with the back 
of the hoe. For the best and quickest results, seed 
should be planted in freshly prepared ground. 
Advisability of the hot-bed. Hot-beds are practically 
indispensable in the making ef a good vegetable gar- 
den: Their greatest use is in starting plants for out- 
door crops. By their help (in the case of some 
vegetables) one can have earlier yields than is possible 
from an outdoor crop, and what is more important he 
can grow some crops which could not be otherwise 
grown (long season crops like eggplants and sweet 
potatoes, etc.). They can also be used for growing 
such crops as lettuce or radishes to full maturity out 
of their season. 
Principles of successful transplanting. Transplant- 
ing, while it must always be looked upon as more or 
less injurious to the plants, is a necessity in vegetable 
