Thinning and Transplanting 143 



pressure is being put upon the soil and can get at 

 all parts. 



Plants which bear transplanting poorly should be 

 started by planting the seeds in dirt bands or small 

 paper cups. When the plant is ready for trans- 

 planting, a hole should be dug, the band torn 

 loose carefully, in order not to loosen the earth 

 around the plant's roots, and band, or cup, planted 

 with the plant. The paper will soon disintegrate 

 and help to fertilize the plant. 



Great care should be taken in handling the roots 

 of plants that are being transplanted. When 

 handled carefully transplanting benefits the roots 

 of most plants, as they have new soil into which 

 they can spread, and transplanting has a tendency 

 to increase the number of roots. Celery and 

 other plants which are grown for their tops are 

 nearly always benefited by transplanting. 



Such garden crops as melons, cucumbers, and 

 beans do not transplant readily from the seed bed to 

 the open ground and extra care should be used if 

 they must be transplanted. As these plants have 

 strong roots, they may be planted in thin wooden 

 berry boxes, with the bottom knocked loose that it 

 may easily be taken off just before transplanting. 



