162 The Principles of Vegetable -Gardening 



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 which are 

 in a compact body can be sprayed, fumigated or other- 

 wise treated to advantage. In forcing- houses and 

 frames, it is now a common practice to start seeds in 

 flats or boxes (see page 62 and Fig. 12). 



The seed-bed should be a small area on land which 

 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 

 (Fig. 36) laid on a frame which stands two to three 

 feet above the soil. Such a screen gives a partial 



shade and also allows 

 of a free circulation of 

 air ; and the screens 

 may be removed and the 

 bed weeded at any time. 

 A covering of brush is 

 sometimes used, but it 

 is less handy than the 



- . ^-j- '-^''^:'^^6si£[fifffi^^-^ _u -^^^^ screen. If it is laid 



directly on beds, as is 

 Fig. 36. Lath screen. somctimcs the casc, the 



The spaces and laths are equal in width. 



bed cannot be weeded 

 and it is likely to become foul. Sometimes boards, 

 matting or other dense covers are laid directly on the 

 soil. This may do very well for a few days, until the 



