Seed-sowing 



411 



spring as early as the land can be made fit, or even in 

 autumn. Examples of such seeds are sweet pea, onion, 

 leek. In the Northern States, however, few seeds are sown 

 in the autumn; but the land is often prepared in autumn, 

 and the seeds are sown as soon as the earth is dry enough 

 in spring. The seeds of half-hardy plants, as beets and let- 

 tuce, may be sown two or three weeks before settled weather 

 is expected to come — that is, when it is still expected that 

 there will be hard frosts. Tender seeds, as beans, toma- 

 toes, eggplants, cucumbers, melons, are sown only after 

 last frost has passed and when the ground is thoroughly 

 settled and warm. 



The seed-hed. 



Of plants normally transplanted, it is better to start the 

 seeds in a seed-bed. These beds may be in the forcing- 

 liouse, hotbed or coldf rame ; or, if it is not desired to force 

 the plants beyond the normal season, it may be made in 

 the open. There are three chief advantages in sowing in 

 a seed-bed, rather than where the plants are to grow: (1) 

 it insures better germination, since the conditions are more 

 uniform and congenial; (2) it saves time and labor; (3) 

 it enables the gardener to guard against insects, fungi and 

 accidents, since plants in a compact body can be sprayed, 

 fumigated, covered or otherwise treated to advantage. In 

 forcing-houses and frames, it is now a common practice to 

 start seeds in flats or boxes. 



The seed-bed should be a small area on land that is in 

 the best of tilth. It should be near the buildings and the 

 water supply. If the season is hot and dry, it may be 

 well to shade the bed until the seedlings appear. The 

 best shading ordinarily is a lath screen laid on a frame 



