To prevent drying in out-door culture, it is important that the earth be well firmed over the seeds. Walking on the row, placing one foot directly ahead of the other, is usually the most expeditious and satisfactory operation, at least with large seeds. Or the earth may be firmed with a hoe or the back of a spade, or a board may be placed upon the row and then be thoroughly settled by walking over it. In the sowing of celery and other small and slow seeds, it is a frequent practice to leave the board on the row until the seeds appear in order to hold the moisture. This is a doubtful expedient, however, for the young plants are apt to be quickly dispatched by the sun when the board is removed. If the board is employed, it should be raised an inch or two from the ground as soon as the plants begin to appear. But the shade of the board is too dense and plants do not grow stocky under it. It is better to use brush or lath screens if protection is desired; or fine litter, if free from weed seeds, may be used. In most cases, however, screens will not be needed by celery and similar seeds if the ground is in the proper condition and is well firmed at planting time. It is always advisable, nevertheless, to place the beds for slow and small seeds where they can be watered occasionally. [Illustration: Fig. 3. Lath Screen.] There are many kinds of screens in use to prevent the drying out of small seeds in out-door seedage and to protect the young seedlings. These are used also in the shading of cuttings. The common lath screen (Fig. 3) is the most useful for general purposes. It is simply a square frame made from common laths laid at right angles in a double series. The interstices between the laths are equal in width to the laths themselves. These screens are laid horizontally upon a light frame-work a few inches above the seeds. The passage of the sun constantly moves the shadows over the bed, and sufficient shade is afforded while thorough ventilation is allowed. This and all other elevated screens are useful in shading and protecting the young plants as well, but when used for this purpose they are usually raised a greater distance above the beds. A brush screen consisting of a low frame covered with boughs, is often used, as shown in Fig. 4. This is cheaper than the lath screens, and is equally as good for most purposes. The brush is often laid directly upon the ground, especially in large beds. This answers the purpose of shading, but it does not allow of weeding and it must be taken off soon after the seeds germinate, or slender plants will be injured in its removal. Brush screens are sometimes raised three or four feet to allow of weeding. A screen for frames is shown in Fig. 5. It is a simple covering of muslin stretched over the top and sides of a rough frame-work. The cloth is usually omitted from the front side. This style of screens is much used by nurserymen, especially for cutting beds. Whitewashing the sashes also affords good shading.