Xow pres« the soil firmly over tlie 



seeds eitiier by stepping lig-htly along 

 the row, one foot only, or patting 

 firmly with the back of the hoe. This 

 is held the most important step in seed 

 sowing;. After firming the soil rake 

 lightly to form a mulch. 



Marking the Rows: 



Set pegs or stakes at both ends of 

 rows as soon as seeds are covered. 

 In this way the space between the rows 

 may be hoed or raked to keep down 

 weeds before the plants appear. The 

 best time to kill weeds is just before 

 they appear and a light hoeing or rak- 

 ing within a week after seed sowing 

 may save much backache later. 



It may be a matter of comfort and 

 certainly will serve as a guide for op- 

 erations another season if the variety 

 and the date of planting is written 

 heavily in pencil on the head stake of 

 each row. 



These directions and cautions as to 

 careful preparation of soil have particu- 

 lar reference to small seeds like let- 

 tuce, radish, turnip, and onion, as these 

 need a fine seed bed. Larger seeds 

 such as beet and spinach will come 

 through very well if the soil is not 

 quite so fine, but they will appreciate 

 the better treatment. 



In making furrows for peas, beans 

 and corn use a corner of the hoe. 

 Practice counts here also. 



Depth of Planting:: 



"Seeds should not be plamted deeper 

 than is necessary to insnre the proper 

 degrree of moistnre." — Gofl. If we keep 

 in mind that the reason we cover seeds 

 with soil is to insure the moisture 

 (4) 



