“It’s the fourth lesson,” Mary Frances counted on her fingers. “I remember perfectly.” “Right you are,” replied Billy, rising and bowing; “and I shall begin this lecture by reciting a little piece of poetry, called— TWO LITTLE ACORNS Two little acorns Sitting on a stem— One little acorn Says, “Ahem!” Other little acorn Says, “Oh-ho! I wonder, now, What makes us grow? “I don’t know, But this I see; It must be someone Wiser than we.” Other little acorn Says, “Oh-ho! Indeed, indeed, That must be so!” Billy made a deep bow, and Mary Frances clapped her hands; then Billy opened his note book, cleared his throat, and began: GARDEN LESSON No. 4 THE OUTDOORS SEED-BED Having found how to get the outdoors seed-bed ready, we will next learn how to plant the seed. Of course, you have made your list of the seeds needed, and have received them from the dealer. If possible, it is best to run the planting of the rows or drills north and south so that _the sun will shine_ upon the rows of plants all day, from the east in the mornings; from the west in the afternoons. You will need a garden line to make a straight first row. TO MAKE A GARDEN LINE 1. Cut two sticks about as large around as a broom handle, each eighteen inches long. 2. Point the ends so that they may be easily stuck into the ground. 3. Tie one end of a strong twenty-five foot cord to each stick. Roll the cord on the stick. TO USE THE GARDEN LINE 1. Decide where you wish the first row of plants to grow. 2. Push the stick, not having the roll of cord, down into the ground at the end of this imaginary row. 3. With the other stick in hand walk back, unrolling the cord until you reach the other end of the imaginary row of little plants. Try to make this row very straight, as all the other rows will be measured from it. By the way, this row should be quite near the edge of the bed, so that you will not have to step on the loose “feathery” soil. 4. Drive the other stick down into the earth, drawing the cord tight. PLANTING IN DRILLS 1. Prepare the rake to mark the little rows, or drills, for the seed. Have ready three good-sized corks. Stick the middle tooth of the rake half way through one cork. 2. Do the same to the two end teeth. 3. Run one end tooth of the rake along the stretched garden line keeping all the teeth parallel with the line. Continue to use the rake across the entire bed. This is a convenient method of getting straight rows. Make the drills (hollows) about a half inch deep. BROADCASTING Seed are often not sowed in “drills,” but are “broadcast;” where plants are to be thinned out when they come up, and not to be transplanted, the _drills_ are better.