Starting the Plants 91 



for the outside seed-bed the most thoroughly'pulver- 

 ized spot to be found, enriched and hghtened with 

 fine manure. Mark off rows a foot apart, and to the 

 necessary depth ; sow the seed evenly ; firm in if the 

 soil is dry (facing p. 93), cover lightly with the 

 back of the rake and roll or smooth with the back 

 of the spade, or of a hoe, along the drills. The seed, 

 according to variety, will begin to push through 

 in from four to twenty days. At all times keep the 

 seed-bed clear of weeds ; and keep the soil between 

 the rows constantly cultivated. Not unless it is very 

 dry will watering be necessary, but if it is required, 

 give a thorough soaking toward evening. 



As the cabbage, celery and similar plants come 

 along it will add to their sturdiness and stockiness 

 to shear off the tops — about half of the large leaves 

 — once or twice after the plants have attained a 

 height of about six inches. 



If the precautions concerning seed and soil which 

 I have given are heeded and the details of the work 

 of planting, transplanting and care are carried out, 

 planting time (April) will find the prospective gar- 

 dener with a supply of good, stocky, healthy plants 

 on hand, and impatient to get them into that care- 

 fully prepared garden spot. All of this work has 

 been — or should have been — interesting, but that 

 which follows in the next chapter is more so. 



