Adjoining this first line, a bed the above width is marked off with a peg or stake at each end, the line reset and a second alley marked off. The alley, or path, between each couple of beds need not exceed 15 in. in width, this being for the sake of convenience in sowing, weeding, watering, shading, and otherwise attending to the bed, and its occupants. Outside this follows a second bed, and so on, until the desired number has been formed. Some persons raise the seed-beds a little above the level of the paths, but, except in very retentive or damp soils, this is not to be recommended. The beds should in no instance, however, be below the level of the paths. There are two methods employed in opening up and preparing the beds for the reception of the seeds either of which, if carefully gone about, is well suited for the exigencies of the case. My own way has always been to level and smooth the surface of the bed with a small-toothed rake, and after sowing the seeds to cover lightly with fine soil and ashes carefully sifted over the bed by means of a small-meshed riddle. This plan has many advantages, not the least important being the covering of the seeds to an equal depth, and the employing of only the finest class of soil. The other method is by using what is termed a “cuffing-board”—that is, a board about 8 in. wide, placed on a handle, which is inserted in the centre, towards the back, the handle being fully 5 ft. long. A skilled person is required to use this tool, who stands in the alley, first on one side of the bed, and then on the other, pushing or drawing towards him from the surface of the bed a thin coating of soil along its full length and from about two-thirds of its surface. As to the amount or depth of soil taken off, this is regulated by the particular kind of seed to be sown, as well as the nature of the soil. The next matter, the depth at which the seed should be sown, is one of great importance. Usually seeds are sown unnecessarily deep. In the majority of cases a safe guide is to place the seed, of whatever kind it may be, about three diameters below the surface of the soil. The conditions most favourable to germination are moderate dampness, abundance of air, and a temperature of about 45°. In order to ensure these conditions, the depth at which the seeds are placed will be seen to be of the greatest moment. Generally speaking, the less seeds are covered, consistently with their receiving a sufficient supply of moisture, the better, and but for their destruction by birds, many of the smaller seeds would vegetate just as well if cast upon the ground-surface, and pressed in, as by being covered with soil. The following interesting experiments with Scotch fir seeds have been made:— “Those buried one-fifth of an inch came up first, but were subsequently less vigorous—they soon, however, acquired vigour;