Preparing Seed Beds

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 237, 5 October 1940, Page 7 (Supplement)

Preparing Seed Beds

WITH the coming of the busy i season interest centres on the | preparation of seed-beds. The j motto, "Watch the weather rather than the calendar," indicates the futility of trying to produce a fine tilth with soil that clings to boots and clogs tools. As, however, soil, when loosened, dries in much less time than when left undisturbed, sowing may be expedited by working over the surface in the mornill? when there are indications of a fine <lay. Heavy soil needs to be treated according to its peculiarities. In some cases it may readily be reduced after a few days' work, in others it may become hard and stubborn under similar conditions. refusing to crumble till moistended by a shower of rain. Mark out the proper distances between the rows with pegs before drawing the drills. I In weedy ground it mar be necessary to use the hoe before the vegetable seedlings appear. This can safely be done if the pegs are left in position and the garden line stretched between them to act as a guide. When sowing, bear in mind the space the plants will eventually occupy, making allowance for losses, and thus save seed and also time in thinning, while avoiding the possible risk of crowding with its attendant evils.