4 
Seeding*. 
Choose a calm, dry day for this work, otherwise much of the seed may be 
blown away and lost, or should the soil be wet it will stick to the operator’s 
boots, and in this way the level may be seriously disturbed. Slightly stir the 
surface with a rake ; and divide up the ground into strips about 3 ft. wide by 
means of pegs and string (see page 34), and divide the seed into as many 
equal portions as there are strips or squares ; this will be found an easy way 
to ensure an even distribution of the seed. Sow the seed by hand, with the 
back bent, taking care to spread it as evenly as possible over the surface. The 
seed must now be covered to a depth not exceeding J of an inch, otherwise 
) 
much of it will be lost. There are two ways of doing this, the most simple 
being to lightly rake the surface in two directions, taking care not to bury the 
seed too deeply. This is the method adopted by most professional gardeners. 
Another way is to cover the seed with light sifted soil, as free from weed seeds 
as possible. A skilled man can very quickly cover a fair-sized lawn by scattering 
the sifted soil with a shovel. People who are not adepts at this may carry the 
sifted soil in a pail and scatter it over the surface by hand. After levelling 
with a rake the whole should be lightly rolled down. 
237, 238, & 97, High 
Holborn, London. 
