When a small seed is covered with an inert material which makes it relatively large and round, it is called a pelletized seed. The main advantage in using pelletized vegetable seeds is that they can be planted at regulated distances from each other. This decreases the number of doubles and makes thinning easier and cheaper. If perfect seed germination and seedling survival were possible, pelletized seed could be planted at the distance required for each crop and thinning could be eliminated. This is impossible in practice, however, and more seeds than are required for final stand must be planted. As a result, thinning is necessary. This is usually done by hoeing out the extra plants. Weeds in the rows are removed at the same time.