3 
FIRMING THE SOIL OVER THE SEED 
af -ll r S? W i n ?r H ^ % 0 V B dlT T d Warm ' . Afler sowiQ g the 8eed go over the rows, and 
with the ball of the foot press down every inch of the soil in the drill where the seed has 
been sown. Then, with a rake, lightly level off the rows, and the operation is done But 
this farming the soil must not be done unless the ground is dry and warm. When the soil 
is damp and there is no danger of dry or heated air drying out the seed, there is no neces- 
sity of treading it in In such cases it is better not to do it. If a drought should follow 
after sowing the seed, and there is danger of the seed suffering from dry? hot air the firm- 
ing may be done a week or more after the seed has been sown. 
STIRRING THE [SOIL. 
A. J. Downing, one of the best authorities on such matters, says : " If I were to 
preach a sermon on Horticulture, I should take as my text, ' Stir the Soil' So essential is 
this considered by some gardeners that they insist that frequent stirring the soil will nro 
duce larger crops without manure than poor cultivation with manure. While I am 
satisfied that nothing can take the place of manure, I am equally well satisfied that a soil 
frequently stirred will produce much better crops than the same soil that is onlv seldom 
cultivated. For some crops it is absolutely essential. Frequent stirring keeps the soil 
open and porous, so that it admits the air freely, and the loose surface acts as a mulch to 
keep the lower soil moist and cool. If you want big crops, keep the surface soil loose and 
friable. 
DRAINING THE SOIL. 
Either in farming or gardening, the proper drainage of the soil is of the first import- 
ance. Many a farmer goes on year after year raising poor crops that pay him no profit 
simply because the soil is not properly drained. 
Drainage Warms the ~ 
. nperature of the soil fif tee 
difference of fifteen degrees . : , 
seed from rotting, and much consequent replanting. 
Drainage Lengthens the Season for Work and for the Growing Crop —This 
cannot be over-estimated in our Northern climate and short summers. A difference of 
two weeks will often prove the difference between success and failure of a crop. I have 
on my farm land that formerly was so wet that it seldom could be planted until June- but 
since being drained it is the first land that we work in the spring-often during the month 
of April. ° 
USEFUL TABLES. 
w ? n u aCre ° f land contains 160 square rods; 4,840 square yards; 43,560 square feet. 
\\ ith these figures in mind anyone can readily measure a plot of land he wishes to plant. 
QUANTITY OF SEED FOR AN ACRE. 
It is difficult to give a fixed amount of seed that should in all cases be sown on an 
acre of ground. As a rule, new ground requires more seed than old ground that has 
become flue and well pulverized by years of cultivation. It is also a safe rule to sow 
rather too thick than otherwise, for in that case the crop can be thinned; but if too little 
seed is sown it cannot be remedied. 
Beans, Dwarf, in hills. 1'; bu. -Melon, Musi;, in hills. 1 1„ io 2 lbs 
Beans, Pole, in hills. .. 10 to l;i]ls. Melon. Wat. r. in hills :i tot lbs 
Beets, in drills 5 to 0 lbs. Onions, in drills j' . io albs' 
Cabbage, in beds, to Parsnips, in tit iils i tot; lbs 
transplant 4 ozs. Peas, in drill- 2 bu 
Cabbage, in hills y, lb. Pens, broadcast libit 
Carrots, in drills 1 ' , lo2lb.. Potatoes s to 12 bu! 
Corn, in bills (ilnlOqts. Radish, in drills ti los bu. 
in drills 8 to 10 lbs. 
,sto 10 qts. 
Corn, for soiling % to 1 bu. 
tiber, in hills ]y, lbs. 
Spinach, in drills 10 to 12 lbs. 
s.|ua-h. bush varie- 
ties, in hills 3 to 4 lbs. 
.Squash, running var- 
ieties, in bills 2 to 3 lbs. 
Tomato, in beds, to 
transplant 3 to I ozs. 
Turnip, in drills 1< 4 to 2 lbs. 
Turnip, broadcast _"to31bs. 
NUMBER OF PLANTS FROM AN OUNCE OF SEED. 
WEIGHT OP SEEDS. 
Grass, Orchard 11 
Grass, Red Top 14 
Grass, Timothy 45 
Potatoes .. 
