CHAPTER Xin. 



TRANSPLANTING. 



Transplanting is an operation of great importance ; 

 the condition of the plant, the state of the soil, and of 

 the atmosphere, have much to do with its success, inde- 

 pendently of the simple mechanical operation. It is not 

 very easy to instruct the uninitiated as to what the proper 

 condition of the plant should he ; experience in this being, 

 as in everything else, the best teacher. Attention to keep- 

 ing the seed-bed clear of weeds, the " topping " of plants 

 when they get too tall, and careful digging up of them 

 so as to preserve the root fibres, will all greatly assist. 

 We cannot always get the soil in the proper condition 

 of moisture to receive plants at the time transplanting 

 should be performed, but to make up for the want of mois- 

 ture, planting should be delayed always until late in the 

 afternoon, unless in cloudy weather. It is also of great' 

 importance that the ground be freshly plowed ; the moist 

 soil thus brought to the surface will induce the formation 

 of root fibres in one night, after which the plants are 

 comparatively safe ; but if they be allowed to wilt before 

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