THE 310 
GARDEN YARD 
fine ‘rose’-nozzle hose. Choose a dull, mild day for 
this, between 11 and 12 o’clock. The lettuces will be 
ready for marketing five or six weeks after planting, 
which will be about the middle of March. 
“About the beginning of March, make up a hot- 
bed for one frame of three lights or sashes. Make it 
two feet thick, and at least a foot beyond the frame all 
round. Fill up the inside as before, and pack round 
outside. When the heat is steady, sow the tomato seed, 
thinly, in rows about 1} inches apart, keeping at least 
4 inch between the seeds. Cover and press down, then 
scatter lightly all over, a sifting of fine rotted manure. 
Water well, cover up, putting mats on. In seven or 
eight days the seed should be germinated. Keep a 
watch on it and remove the mats the moment it is seen 
to be breaking through. Water gently with a fine rose, 
using chilled water. Give all the light possible now, and 
water as required, keeping the soil just nicely moist. 
As soon as the first pair of rough leaves show, begin to 
prick off; if the pricking off is not commenced early the 
plants will be getting ‘drawn’ before it is finished. 
“ After cleaning the beds from which the lettuces were 
taken, fork over lightly and add 3 inches more soil; 
press all down very firmly and prick out tomato plants 
3 inches apart. Do not water. Keep close for a 
few days until the plants begin to move, and cover at 
nights. As the plants show growth, water gently and 
give air on mild days, gradually giving more water and 
air until the first week in May, when the lights may be 
taken off on all mild, genial days. By the middle of the 
