Shall one Grow His Own Seeds 165 



end of a hoe handle or rake handle forcibly through 

 the soil. A garden line should be used to keep the 

 rows straight. Land which is planted to potatoes, or 

 to other deep-planted crops, should ordinarily be tilled 

 once or twice with a smoothing harrow before the 

 plants are up. This maintains the .surface mulch, 

 saves the moisture, and prevents the weeds from 

 growing. 



When sowing in the open, wait until the ground and 

 the season are ready. Rarely is anything gained b}^ 

 sowing before this time. The seeds rot, or the seed- 

 lings are weak. The soil must be fitted after the 

 plants are up. Have every thing ready, then make the 

 plants grow.* 



5. THE GROWING OF SEEDS 



"It is certainly a reflection upon a farmer to have 

 his seeds to buy." "It is shameful for gardeners and 

 farmers to be buying seeds that their own soil and 

 climate w^ill produce, after being once furnished." 



The above sentences were written by Washington 

 to the foreman of his estate at Mount Vernon in the 

 years 1794 and 1795. Within a century, times have 

 changed. The growing of seeds has come to be a 

 business by itself, requiring expert knowledge of soils 

 and climate, and of methods of handling every kind 

 of crop. The demand for seeds is very large. Com- 

 petition is great. The quality constantly improves. 

 Plant -breeding has come to be an important factor. 



*For advice on seed sowing for greenhouses and general garden conditions, 

 see Chap. 1 of "The Nursery-Book." 



