Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-05-03
RDEN VEGE TABL E S +.
SHORT DIRECTIONS Fon PLANTING.

The first thing to be done in gardening
is to prepare the ground. 1t is necessary
that garden soil be deep and loose, that
the roots of vegetables may penetrate it,
spread, and imbibe nourishment. Depth of
soil also prevents drought by its capability
of containing and consequently retaining a
greater quantity of moisture than shallow
soil, and it prevents drowning by being ca
pable of holding more water without being
flooded.
Where not already done, manure should
be now drawn upon the ground intended
for gardening, to be intermixed with the
soil by deep and thorough ploughing.-
Where manure fresh from the stable is
brought, and cannot be spread and plough
ed under Immediately, it should be piled in
a heap, and then covered with soil three or
four inches thick, and this with a coating OF
lime, in order to retain the exhalatlons du-
ring fermentng, which otherwise pass into
the air, and carry off large portion of the
best quality of manure. Hearth can not be
had at this season, in consequence of the
ground being frozen, greater quantity Of
lime must be applied or ashes may be first
spread over as substitute for earth. In
addition to the lime thus preventing the
waste of manure, its usefulness to the sol
after it is spread upon it, will far overbal
ance its cost.
AS deep soil can not always be had a
once, the defect may be partially remedieC
by throwing the soil into ridges upon which
the crop is to be planted. Of course il
these ridges there will be an accumulation
of loose and rich earth. But it is much bet
ter TO have a soil so deep and well manuret
as not to need this expedient.
Most garden. crops are sown in drills O
small burrows drawn with hoe or stick
and where it is stated in directions that seed
that are to be planted in drills of any de
scribed depth, it is to be understood tina
they are actually buried only about one hal
that depth, as the earth is taken from tn
sides Of the drill for covering. A convent
ent way of sowing some garden crops is L
lay board across the prepared bed, dra,
stick to form the drill along the edge c
this board, drop the seed and cover II, an
f then move the board forward, placing it up
on the planted drill, and proceed with anotf
er as before. This forms them straigh
and by standing during the operation UP
on the board, it presses the soil firm
ly about the newly planted seeds, and cor
sequently assists their vegetation. Anotf
! er and more rapid mode Of forming drill
is to make tool like rake head, but muc
j larger, so that each tooth, when it is draw
!, through the soil, may form drill, at the n
quired distance from the Others.
i Rolling is advantageous wherever ii
ground is not so wet or adhesive as to
injured by the operation. 1t presses Il
fresh earth about the seeds, and keeps the
:, moist until they terminate. When a ro
L er is not at hand, substitute may be o
/; tanned by laying plank or board upon u
: newly sown bed, and then walking upon
> lengthwise. Nothing, perhaps, protects tn
nips, and other plants which are injured
the turnip fly, from its depredaiions, so mu'
i as rolling. By pressing down the soil al
Of rendering the surface smooth, it destro
]. their hiding places. Such seeds spro
10 soon, and they are sometimes destroyed
insects even before they reach the surfac
in which case the scotsman is sometim
:, uniustly blamed. Seed sown in ground
'. clning TO be dry, needs watering, especi
+. ly if they are enveloped in dry she'll.
s. Among those which most require mo
IN soil or watering, are lettuce, onions, pa
nep, parsley, asparagus, capscums, ccle
rhubarb, satisfy and spnnage.