THE GARDEN 



work on it. When one comes to think about it, 

 there is no need of hurry, for it is not safe to sow 

 seed in the ground at the north until the weather 

 becomes warm and settled, and that will not be 

 before the first of May, in a very favorable 

 season, and generally not earlier than the middle 

 of the month. This being the case, be content to 

 leave the soil to the mellowing influences of the 

 weather until seed-sowing time is at hand. Then 

 go to work and get your garden ready. 



If the soil is not rich, apply manure from the 

 barnyard or its substitute in the shape of some 

 reliable fertilizer. 



Do this before you set about the pulverization 

 of the soil. Then go to work with hoe and rake, 

 and reduce it to the last possible degree of fine- 

 ness, working the fertilizer you make use of into 

 it in such a manner that both are perfectly 

 blended. 



There is no danger of overdoing matters in 

 this part of garden-work. The finer the soil is 

 the surer you may be of the germination of the 

 seed you put into it. Fine seed often fails to 

 grow in a coarse and lumpy soil. 



In sowing seed, make a distinction between 

 the very fine and that of ordinary size. Fine seed 

 should be scattered on the surface, and no 



98 



