A YEAR'S CYCLE IN THE GARDEN 163 



subsoil plow to break the bottom. Digging is 

 better if you can afford it, in which case trench it 

 about three feet deep, throwing the top soil to the 

 bottom and adding plenty of manure. 



After the ground is dug the section which is to 

 be used for early vegetables (that is, the highest or 

 best drained ground) can be raked over with a 

 wooden rake to smooth it off. Then run a roller 

 over it before sowing the seeds. 



The Principles of Seed Sowing. The idea to be 

 remembered in sowing seeds is that they should not 

 be planted too deep nor too shallow; too thin, nor 

 too thick. The depth of the drill varies according 

 to the vegetable to be planted. Allow about one- 

 quarter of an inch for lettuce and seeds of that size; 

 about one-half inch for parsnips and such seeds; 

 about one inch for beans; and about two inches for 

 peas, except the first sowing, which should be about 

 four inches deep. Sow enough seed to have a good 

 full row and reduce the thinning out to a minimum; 

 but do not throw the seeds in by the handful. 



Drilling. In making drills, 

 measure with a line and have 

 it straight and taut. For peas 

 use a spade, which will give 

 a drill one foot wide. For 

 beans in double rows use a 

 hoe, making the drill the full 

 width of the hoe. For seeds 

 that require single drills not ^fS.'Sr-.-' 



less than one-half inch deep, ^l^f%^Z^, 



use the hoe edgewise; for form of garden label 





4" 



