SPRING WORK 41 
frame getting a start of the season, provided that 
autumn forethought did not make one ready the 
year before. This can be purchased, knocked 
apart, or with some narrow boards and one or 
more window sash it is a matter of little time to 
put one together at home. Plant in it in April 
or very early in May seeds of annuals for bloom- 
ing ahead of those sown in the open ground; also 
seeds of perennials, for years to come. Sow the 
seed in rows and at the head of each place a num- 
ber on the inside of the frame, this to correspond 
with a list giving the name opposite each number. 
Seed is always ‘“‘bad’” whenever it fails to come 
up. The truth is that seed from a reliable source 
is good, but very frequently the planting is bad. 
Whether in a coldframe or in the open ground 
first see that the soil is loose and quite free from 
lumps and grit, adding a little sand if not light 
enough. Press the soil down with a small piece 
of board to get a smooth surface. Scatter the 
very finest seed, such as that of the poppy, broad- 
cast on the surface and sift a very little soil over 
it. Sow larger seeds in rows, made with a sharp- 
pointed stick, the depth being about twice the di- 
ameter of the'seed. Pour the seed into the palm of 
the left hand and drop it with the thumb and. 
finger of the right. Or, if done adroitly, the 
dropping may be done through a small hole made 
in one corner of the seed envelope. Plant very 
large seeds one by one and an inch or so apart in 
the row, to avoid the labor of thinning out. 
