126 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



is sown quite late, cold frames may be used for a short period 

 before the plants are taken to the field. For instructions on build- 

 ing a cold frame see W : 46. 



7. Making plant boxes. — Plant boxes or flats will be found 

 very convenient for starting early plants. Instructions for making 

 them are given in W : 48. 



8. Making straw mats. — Both the hotbeds and cold frames 

 will need protection in addition to that furnished by the sash. 

 Straw mats are very satisfactory for this purpose, and instructions 

 for making them are given in W : 50. 



9. Sowing the early crop. — In most parts of the North, seed 

 for the early crop should be sown about March 1. If suitable 

 facilities are available, there is no objection to sowing ten to 

 fifteen days earlier. 



Celery seeds are very small and slow to germinate, and for this 

 reason the soil in which they are sown should be fine and friable, 

 so that each seed will be surrounded by the finest soil particles. 

 These soil particles, too, must be kept constantly moist in order 

 to insure prompt germination. 



As previously stated, flats are very convenient for the starting of 

 early plants. After filling them with fine soil the seeds are sown 

 thinly in rows about two inches apart and barely covered with 

 fine soil or sand. It is so easy to wash out the little seeds when 

 watering that a good plan is to place a piece of burlap over the box 

 after it is sown and sprinkle this instead of the soil. If desired the 

 burlap may remain on the box until the seeds begin to sprout. 

 Whatever plan is followed, the boxes should be inspected daily 

 and watered as often as may be necessary to keep the soil con- 

 stantly and uniformly moist, but never wet. A temperature of 

 70 to 75 degrees should be maintained if possible until the plants 

 are up. 



