SOLANACBOUS CROP PROJECTS 



53 



sown. Very dry soil may be quickly and easily moistened by 

 sprinkling as it is turned or shoveled over. 



As previously stated (W : 48) flats are very convenient for start- 

 ing all kinds of early vegetable plants. Most growers prefer to 



Fig. 7. — Sowing seed from an envelope. 



sow the seed in rows rather than broadcast. The rows should be 

 about two inches apart and the furrows one fourth to one half inch 

 deep. It is customary to make the furrows with a straight, nar- 

 row strip of wood, such as a piece of lath, or marker (Fig. 6), 

 which should be slightly shorter than the width of the flat. The 

 seed should be carefully distributed in the furrow at the rate of 

 about 12 seeds to the inch. Sowing may be done rapidly and uni- 

 formly with an envelope, held as shown in Fig. 7, or the seed may 

 be distributed by taking a few at a time between the fingers. 

 After the furrows are closed in any way most convenient to the 

 gardener, the soil should be firmed with a block of wood and then 



