SEED SOWING 
135 
at a more uniform depth, especially when machines are 
used. (4) In plant boxes or small seed beds water may 
be applied between the rows. This is often a great ad- 
vantage when damping off is likely to occur. (5) In 
stiff soils the percentage of germination is greater, be- 
cause the seedlings assist each other in their effort to 
reach the light. (6) Seedlings come up straighter, and 
may be arranged in a more orderly manner when pulled 
for transplanting; therefore, they may be removed more 
rapidly from the seed bed, and also handled with greater 
speed when transplanting. Both of these advantages 
are well worth considering when thousands or perhaps 
millions of plants are to be shifted. 
197. Hand sowing. — Sowing by hand in the open 
ground is commonly practiced by home vegetable garden- 
ers. Lines or markers should be used at such times to 
secure straight rows. The furrows may be opened with 
a small shovel of the wheel hoe cultivator or with a rake 
or suitable hand hoe. One of the best ways to make a 
shallow" furrow for small seeds is to stretch a line and 
follow it with the back of the garden rake which will 
make a neater furrow than any other tool. The seeds 
should be dropped at uniform distances in the furrow, 
and if they are small, as turnip and radish seeds, a let- 
ter envelope may be used to advantage. Seal the envelope 
and cut one end off ; after placing several tablespoonfuls 
of seed in it, move it slowly over the row, shaking back 
and forward as may be required to secure an even dis- 
tribution of the seed. After some practice seed may be 
sown more rapidly in this w r ay than is possible with the 
thumb and fingers. The furrows may be closed by using 
hoe, rake or hand plow, the method used depending upon 
the required depth of covering. 
When sowing under glass the usual plan is to make 
the furrows with a piece of lath or a straight-edge, or 
perhaps ivith a pot label drawn along a straight-edge, 
