ALL KINDS OF GARDENS 



past, out-of-doors where they to grow, and the seedlings 

 thinned out, after they are up enough to be recognizable, 

 to the required number per square foot. 



For the others the best way is to sow them in a bed 

 that is not exposed to full sun — if it is it will be necessary 

 to make a screen of lath nailed to a frame the size of the 

 bed, having four legs or uprights to stand on, that can 

 be put over the bed during the daytime. This is simple 

 enough and insures always the same degree of the sun. 

 The surface of a seed bed should be raised four inches 

 above the level of the ground ; and it should have a fine 

 soft, mellow soil spread over it to receive the seeds. 



After everything is ready, sprinkle the bed thor- 

 oughly, put the screen over it, and leave it until the next 

 day. Then draw shallow rows across it for the seeds — 

 these rows need not be more than three inches apart, 

 or even two, if space is at a premium — put them in as 

 thick as the directions on each particular packet specify, 

 cover them gently — by simply pressing the entire surface 

 of the bed down with the float — with what seems to be 

 three times their depth of earth, unless the directions 

 give a definite depth — water them in with a fine sprayer, 

 sprinkle the bed all over with a thin "dusting" of fine 

 dry soil, and put the screen on if the sun shines. 

 Take if off at night, unless there is beating rain in 

 progress or in sight. 



Keep the bed evenly moistened the same as directed 

 for a flat; thin out the seedlings until they stand two 

 inches apart, which gives them room to grow stiff and 

 stocky — and transplant them to their permanent quarters 



123 



