96 
House & Garden's 
Complete in two reels—the 
story of starting seeds, begin¬ 
ning with drainage 
The soil is put in and firmed 
down with the bottom of a 
glass tumbler or measure 
Then the seed is scattered 
on the surface direct from the 
containing envelope 
The measure comes in again 
to press the seed lightly down 
into the soil surface 
GIVING THE GARDEN A RUNNING START 
Vegetable Seed Planting Indoors So As to Produce Thrifty Crops Two Weeks 
in Advance of the Ordinary Season 
G RANTED a hotbed or a sunny window 
in the house in which to place them, the 
first essential in starting vegetable seeds espe¬ 
cially early in the season is proper soil. It 
should be light and very finely pulverized so 
thac the tiny roots can penetrate it readily. 
Special enrichment, however, is not necessary 
—in fact, should be avoided. 
Next come the “flats” or shallow boxes in 
which the soil is to be placed. These should 
be 2" or 3" deep, with holes protected by bits 
of broken crock in the bottom to provide for 
the escape of any surplus water which may 
work down through the soil. Whether the soil 
is put in flats, or directly in the hotbed, it 
should have under it a layer of some coarse, 
porous material like cinders or sphagnum moss, 
to make the drainage more quick and certain. 
In filling the flats, care should be taken to 
press the soil in firmly. Then water it thor¬ 
oughly, after which it should be left until dry 
enough to mark off on the surface with a small 
stick a number of very shallow rows about 
2" apart for the seeds. 
Seeds such as cabbage and lettuce should 
be covered only y%" deep; beets may go a 
little deeper; fine flower seeds should be gently 
pressed down into the soil surface and barely 
dusted over with soil. 
For several days after planting the tempera¬ 
ture where the flats are should not fall below 
55° at night and 10° or so more during the 
day. This high temperature tends to dry the 
soil out quickly, so glass may be laid over the 
tops of the flats to conserve the moisture. 
Once the little seedlings have broken ground, 
they should have a few degrees lower tempera¬ 
ture, abundant sunlight and plenty of fresh 
air. Every morning, unless there is a severe 
storm, the windows (or sash, if the flats are 
in a hotbed or coldframe) should be opened 
enough to give a complete change of air without 
subjecting the tiny plants to a cold draft. The 
temperature should never be above 70° or 80° 
for any length of time, and watering must be 
done with a very fine spray in the early fore¬ 
noon of bright days. 
Transplanting to other flats should be done 
when the second true leaves appear. The seed¬ 
lings should be set 2" or 3" apart each way. 
Move them very carefully so as not to break 
their rootlets. Before they are set out in the 
open garden they must be gradually “hardened 
off” by giving more and more fresh, cool air. 
Fine soil is then sifted on top Watering with a clean spray When the seedlings reach The first transplanting is into 
so as to cover the seed com- gun follows, the fine spray not transplanting size, they are a flat which holds them while 
pletely from sight disturbing the soil moved with a flat stick hardening-oflj 
