174 Growing Flowers 



before it can germinate. In planting seed in the 

 garden, the earth of the seed bed should be piled 

 up higher than the surrounding surface. 



All stones and trash should be sifted out of the soil 

 before seed is planted. There is no nourishment 

 in either. Very fine soil is conducive to ready- 

 germination. 



In order to kill the seed of weeds in soil which is to 

 be used for the seed bed, place the soil in a large pan 

 and bake in the oven or at the bottom of the fur- 

 nace for a few hours. There will then be no danger 

 of the seed of weeds crowding the plant seed. 



In preparing large beds for seed, plow thoroughly 

 and rake carefully. Plowing up the land four or 

 five times will insure loose soil and a quick growth 

 of plants. 



The seed boxes or beds should be kept slightly moist, 

 not wet. If the soil is dry the seed cannot germi- 

 nate but if really wet, the seed will rot before ger- 

 mination can take place. When there are dry 

 spots these spots should be watered, but not the 

 surrounding damp soil 



Young plants will be more uniform in size and 

 shape if seed is planted in rows and it will be much 



