174 Gardening 
Proper firming of the 
soil is especially im- 
portant in summer plant- 
ing. Without it the 
seeds may lie in the 
loose, dry soil and fail 
to germinate. Or the 
little seedlings may die 
after germination starts, 
because the tiny rootlets 
may find their way into 
air pockets among the 
lumps of loose soil in- 
stead of getting into 
contact with soil parti- 
cles that will furnish 
the water that the plants 
must have. 
Watering at planting 
time. Watering imme- 
diately after planting 
Fic. 100. Watering the bottom of the seeds is not advisable. 
fry Dare Panting te wet. Indy Tt compacts the surface 
is sandy or loose, but with clay soils care layer of soil ; then, when 
must be used to prevent puddling. this dries, i: neal and 
gives out moisture very rapidly. If the ground is dry, 
soak the area to be planted some 24 hours before plant- 
ing. Then, after planting, rake up a surface mulch. To 
hold the moisture in the soil it is often advisable to 
shade carrots and Chinese cabbage that are planted 
in hot weather until the young plants begin to appear. 
es he, OS ap 
