Chapter XIV: How to Plant

“OH, yes,” continued Billy “I’m going to tell you how the plants eat, and why they are so fond of plant-food soup, and why they like bones (of course, for soup! that is right); but I think you would prefer that story later on, and would rather talk now about—

GARDEN TOOLS

The best small garden tools are a “Ladies’ Set,” for
they are strong and yet small and pleasant to handle.

A fork for digging; a rake and a hoe and a “cultivator”
are necessary.

TO DIG UP THE GARDEN

1. Drive the fork down into the ground, with your left
foot on top of the prongs, and lift the clod of earth
high enough to turn over.

2. After dropping it, “spank” it apart into little
lumps and dust.

Commence this work at the back of the garden, and step
backward over the untouched earth, until you have
covered the entire plot. Begin at the left-hand corner
“A” and across to the right.

In this way, you will not step on the loosened soil,
nor pack it down.

Of course, in large fields, this work is done with a
plow.

TO PREPARE THE SOIL

1. Spread humus or manure, or both, all over the
surface and dig it in, in the same manner in which you
first dug up the garden, if you wish to be entirely
certain of having success.

But even then, the soil is not fine enough. No. I see
you shake your head. But, Mary Frances, if you want a
lovely garden, you must get the garden table ready for
the plant roots in the most enticing way.

2. Next, take your rake and “comb” the earth to and fro
until it is all light and feathery.

Of course, in large fields, this work of raking is done
with a harrow.

3. After planting the seeds, pat the soil down firmly
so that it will be firm enough for the little rootlets
to “get a hold,” yet will be movable so that they may
grow.

TO PLANT SEEDS IN BOXES

Little seeds are not always started, or planted, out of
doors.

Instead, early in the Spring, seeds are often started
in boxes in a sunny window, or in hotbeds. (See Chapter
LVII.)

We’ll make a hotbed of our own one of these days, Mary
Frances, but at present we’ll have to be satisfied with
seed boxes.

PREPARING THE SOIL

1. For starting seeds indoors, use shallow boxes,
placed in a sunny window.

Cigar boxes are of a convenient size for children to
use. The soil should be fine and rich in humus.

2. Sift some soil from the compost heap, or some leaf
loam (soil from the woods), or some well rotted stable
manure,[D] through a large mesh sieve (ash sifter) and
mix with the same amount of fine sand.

3. Fill the boxes with this mixture; water it well with
a fine sprinkler.

SOWING THE SEED BOXES

1. Sow the seeds thinly, sprinkle them like pepper from
a shaker on the surface, and over them spread a very,
very little sand.

2. If possible, cover the box with glass to prevent
the soil from drying, but let the _air into the box by
tilting the glass_ on one side, using a cork on the
edge.

WATERING THE SEED BOXES

1. Do not water often, but when necessary to do so, use
the finest sprinkler possible.

2. Water seed boxes in the morning. For if watered at
night, the tiny plants may “damp off,” or mildew.

“Oh,” exclaimed Mary Frances, “how careful a gardener has to be! What lovely beds must be made for little seeds!”

“Exactly so,” agreed Billy. “I see you get the point of the lesson. It is really about how to make the beds for the seed babies.”

“The dear little things,” said Mary Frances. “Billy, I had no idea how easily I would learn to love the thought of them.”

“Well, then you’ll enjoy the next lesson,” said Billy, turning over the leaves of his note book. “Our professor told us next a good deal about the seed babies.”

“Can’t we go right on now with that lesson?” asked Mary Frances, in delight at the willingness of Billy to teach her.

“I guess so,” replied Billy, looking at his watch. “The ball team doesn’t meet until two-thirty.”

FOOTNOTE:

[D] Manure is sold by the pound in powdered form by all leading seed houses.