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. CHAPTER XV THE OUTDOOR SEED-BED “LET me see,” said Billy. “What lesson is this?”