70 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



bloom, during which time the temperature will average 

 about forty-five degrees in the shade. 



Make a Fine Seed Bed 



Thorough preparation of the seed bed is the most im- 

 portant step in seed sowing. The soil should be dug and 

 raked to get it into general good condition. Be careful to 

 get all manure well turned under, and mixed with the soil. 

 If left in a soUd layer beneath the surface, in a dry season 

 it may do more harm than good, by cutting off the water 

 supply from below. Just before you plant go over the 

 ground thoroughly again, so it will be moist clear to the top, 

 and the surface should be made as fine and as level as you 

 can make it. 



A number of the garden seeds, such as onions, carrots, 

 and turnips, are very small and must not be planted deep. 



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Wrong way Correct way 



If the soil is rough and lumpy it will dry out very quickly on 

 top, even at this time of year, when a few inches below the 

 surface it is abundantly moist. 



It is no less important to prepare the soil thoroughly 

 where plants are to be set out. It must be fine and mellow 

 to pack closely round the hundreds of little rootlets, and to 

 form a dust mulch on the surface as soon as the planting 

 is done. 



In the small garden there is no excuse for the rows not 

 being straight as a string. Mark off the first one with your 

 garden line. If the soil is in the right condition you can 

 "snap" a mark into it; have the line tight, raise it at two 

 or three points along the row and let it snap back against 

 the soil. Otherwise mark the row with your rake handle. 

 Then watch your wheel, if you use the seed drill, and keep 



