PLANTING 265 



enough plants left to grow. Sow twice as many as in 

 flats (or consult Appendix D for information about vege- 

 table seed) ; set the smallest every eighth of an inch, with 

 peas and beans almost touching each other. This seems 

 extravagant sowing, and in a good year will mean much 

 thinning; but in a bad year such generosity may save the 

 crop. 



Now carefully, with the hoe or with the back of the rake, 

 scrape the earth back into the furrow. This again is a deli- 

 cate task, for it should be distributed evenly. 



Next, press down the earth over the row of seeds. This is 

 so that the moisture of the earth shall get at the seeds 

 quickly. The work can be done by tamping with the flat 

 face of the hoe, or by walking along the row, tramping every 

 inch of it. 



As I have said, I never consider the planting finished until 

 with the rake I have drawn a little loose earth over the drill. 

 By keeping the earth from drying or baking, this greatly 

 helps the sprouting of the plants. 



Such is ordinary planting. But I like to add one more 

 direction — the putting of fertilizer where the seedlings 

 will quickly find it. This is easily done by making the furrow, 

 at the very first, an inch or two deeper than for the seed. 

 Into the furrow I strew the fertilizer which will be best for 

 the plant, 1 taking care that none of it falls above the level 

 where the seed are to go. I do this generously, a good hand- 

 ful to every yard. Then I cover the fertilizer with care to 

 the proper depth, and sow the seed. The rootlets will soon 

 find the food that is waiting for them. 



Sowing in hills may be simple or complicated, just as we 

 are hurried and skimpy, or leisurely and generous. If hasty, 

 after stretching the line, we plant seeds in little holes at the 



1 See chapter on Chemicals. 



