THE HANDLING OF THE PLANTS 



117 



or in ground that bakes. With such seeds it is well to sow 

 seeds of radish or turnip, for these germinate quickly and break 

 the crust, and also mark the row so that tillage may be begun 

 before the regular-crop seeds are up. 



Land may be prevented from baking over the seeds by scat- 

 tering a very thin layer of fine litter, as chaff, or of sifted moss 

 or mold, over the row. A board is sometimes laid on the row 

 to retain the moisture, but it must be lifted gradually just as 

 soon as the plants begin -to break the ground, or the plants will 

 be greatly injured. Whenever practicable, seed-beds of celery 

 and other slow-germinating seeds should be shaded. If the 

 beds are watered, be careful that the soil is not packed by the 

 force of the water or baked by the sun. In thickly sown seed- 

 beds, thin or transplant the plants as soon as they have made 

 their first true leaves. 



For most home-grounds, seeds may be sown by hand, but for 

 large areas of one crop, one of the many kinds of seed-sowers 

 may be used. The particular methods of sowing seeds are usu- 

 ally specified in the seed catalogues, if other than ordinary 

 treatment is required. The sled-markers (already described, 

 p. 109) open a furrow of sufficient depth for the planting of 

 most seeds. If marker furrows are not available, a furrow may 

 be opened with a hoe for such deep-planted seeds as peas and 

 sweet peas, or by a trowel or end of a 'rakestale for smaller 

 seeds. In narrow beds or boxes, a stick or ruler (Fig. 115) 

 may be used for opening creases to receive the seeds. 



The depth at which seeds are to be planted varies with the 

 kind, the soil and its preparation, the season, and whether they 

 are planted in the open or in the house. In boxes and under 

 glass, it is a good rule that the seed be sown at a depth equal to 

 twice its own diameter, but deeper sowing is usually necessary 

 out of doors, particularly in hot and dry weather. Strong and 

 hardy seeds, as peas, sweet peas, large fruit-tree seeds, may be 

 planted three to six inches deep. Tender seeds, that are injured 



