68 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 
peas, and buckwheat are suitable. These crops should 
remain on the land until August, when the whole yard 
should be spaded again. Some vegetation may be re- 
moved if the growth is very prolific, but a considerable 
quantity of it should be spaded in; it will make the soil 
more retentive of moisture and better able to hold the 
fertilizers applied to it. After spading, all low places 
caused by unequal settling must be filled in. Make the 
soil firm with a roller or with the back of a spade; the 
latter usually gives the best results. 
Varieties of seed. It will be advisable to find out the 
varieties of seed best adapted to each particular locality. 
Mixed seed is better than any one kind. This will pro- 
vide for the differences in light, soil, and moisture found 
in small areas. Mixtures for different purposes may be 
obtained from dealers. The seed should be used at the 
rate of one quart for each three hundred square feet. 
For spring sowing one eighth of this should be white 
clover. This is nearly double the quantity of seed ordi- 
narily required for large areas. A smaller amount would 
cover the ground, but it is better to let the weak plants 
be chminated as the stronger ones make their growth 
than to give weeds an opportunity to gain a foothold, 
as they will if some of the ground fails to be covered. 
Sowing the seed. If the ground cannot he watered, 
the seed should be sown before a shower. A uniform 
distribution of seed may be obtained by sowing in two 
directions: half should be scattered in one direction 
across the land and the other half at right angles to the 
