hidden. This compost pile stays outdoors weathering and decay- 
ing all winter, and the following spring it is to be added as fertil- 
izer to the garden soil. 
After the plot is prepared, planting time is at hand. From the 
first to the middle ot May is a good time to plant, if the ground 
is warm and the weather fine. 
Seeds may be sown in shallow furrows or drills; in groups 
or hills; or scattered freely over the soil. The first way of plant- 
ing is the easiest; the last method, the hardest. The second 
method is used for the planting of corn, melons, cucumbers, 
beans, and certain other large seed. Most small backyard gar- 
dens are laid out in drills for the planting. The drills should be 
made perfectly straight and extending north and south if possible. 
Lay a board where you wish to make the drill. The edge of the 
board is your guide for drill-making. Hold a pointed stick against 
the board’s edge and draw it along through the soil. In this way 
a fine straight drill is made. You may walk along the board as 
you plant. In these drills, made from one-quarter to one-half 
inch in depth, the seed are scattered. Soil should then be covered 
over the seed and pressed firmly down. Seed will not grow so 
well if the soil is not firmly pressed against it. The firming of 
the soil may be done by the foot, lightly treading the soil down. 
After the seeds are planted, wait for the young seedlings to 
appear. When they are two inches high, thin them out; that is, 
pull up some of the seedlings, so that there is plenty of space be- 
tween the plants for growth. Stir up the soil between the drills. 
Do this frequently — three or four times a week. When the surface 
of the soil is thus stirred, a loose area is formed called a mulch. 
This mulch holds the moisture in the soil. It is wise not to water 
your gardens at all unless the weather is very dry and hot. Then 
water the soil, and not the foliage of the plants. Keep all weeds 
out of your garden. Weeds choke out other plants. Choose easy 
plants to begin with, and, after a year’s work in a garden, you 
will be able to try more difficult ones. Plant tall varieties like 
sunflower and castor oil bean, at the back of the garden. Very 
low plants, called border plants, should go in front of all the 
others. Sweet alyssum, ageratum, candytuft, and dwarf mari- 
golds make good border plants. Vines, like morning glory, moon 
