THE SEED BED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE SEED BED.

The finest position for the seed bed is in partial shade,- but if this cannot be provided, and in full sunshine is the only position, then tho bed should be shaded—at least, while, the seeds are germinating. This can be done by the use of sheets of newspaper. An excellent way is "to lay down bricks and put light strips of wood across, and on these rest a layer of fine twiggy branches. Tho soil should not be worn out. Good fresh turfy loam will do, without any additional manure. Old garden 6Oiis are better with 6ome short well-rotted manure added. A.fresh position each time is preferable, as there are _ some diseases which can contracted in the seed-bed. The top soil should be fine, and the beds made at least six inches above the path or surrounding surface, to assist in the drainage. The surface should bo perfectly level, no matter what tlie lay of tho garden, otherwise heavy rains will wash too much. If the .weather is dry, water well the day before sowing, and shade well afterwards, and little, if any, watering will need to be done until after the seedlings are uj). The point is to save artificial watering as much as possible before the seedlings are through, as with the fine surface the soil cakes quickly, and if it gets dry many seedlings are killed, because they cannot break this crust,