52 



VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



condition when wanted for use the following spring. Any good 

 garden soil will be suitable for this purpose. It should contain 

 considerable organic matter, commonly called humus, and a 

 liberal proportion of sand. Market gardeners often prepare the 



Fig. 6. — Marking the rows for seed sowing. 



soil for the starting of plants by mixing about two parts of soil 

 with one part of sand and one part of manure. Two to three 

 pints of air-slaked, lime to each bushel of soil will be found to be 

 an advantage. 



If the student will keep in mind that oxygen, heat, and moisture 

 are required for the germination of all kinds of seed, he will be more 

 likely to make a seed bed that will provide suitable conditions 

 for germination. 



The proper amount of moisture is especially important. This 

 matter should have careful attention even before the seeds are 



