“Peter and Philip always use a line and two stout garden stakes.  Their hoes do the rest.

“We usually think of furrows, or drills, as they really should be called when little soil is removed, as being about a half inch or even less in width.  Sometimes certain seed, beans and peas, for example, are placed in double rows in a wide drill.

“I think you all understand hill making.  Then you remember how we planted certain seeds broadcast, as grass and poppy seeds.  Remember that seeds thus sown need only a dusting of soil over them.

“But in general, drill sowing for both vegetables and flower seeds is the most satisfactory method.

“Most boys and girls sow seeds too thickly.  The seedlings as they come up are too crowded for proper amounts of sunlight, air and food.  You have seen lettuce seedlings crowded together growing small and weak.  Why?  Lack of light and air, lack of moisture and food are the reasons for this.  Thin out pretty severely.  Wait, of course, until the seedlings are an inch or more high.  Then look over the little plants and gently take out the weakest and smallest specimens.  Press the soil firmly about those which remain.  If the first planting has been very thick have two times of thinning.  It is a bit easier on those seedlings remaining if too many comrades do not go at once.

[Illustration:  Jack’s Rake Handle as a Measuring Stick]

[Illustration:  Albert Sowing Large Seeds Singly

Photographs by Edward Mahoney]

“Of course, some of these seedlings may be transplanted.  They should be about two inches above ground for this purpose.  Lettuce, cabbage and peppers transplant beautifully; so do asters.  I would not try to transplant beets, radish or turnips.  The reason is that these plants have long tap roots.  Usually a portion of the root is left in the ground and the transplanted seedling has an injured root.  So you either lose it, or it does poorly.

“Beets may be allowed to grow thickly for a time.  Then when the thinning is done, the tender beet tops may be used for greens.

“Transplanting is a delicate operation.  A trowel or a thin garden marker, a can of water and dibber are the necessary tools for the business.  A cloudy day is a good thing to have on hand, also.  If this is impossible, place the sun behind a cloud.  The little seedling should be taken up with great care from its old home.  A little soil should come with the roots.  This gives the little plant a home feeling in its new quarters.  The thin stick is often better to use than the trowel.  If the soil is watered a bit about the small plant, one is far more likely to get the soil up with the roots.