Thinning and Transplanting 145 



in the hand, is the time to set out young plants. 

 The atmosphere will be clear and somewhat moist 

 and there will be no danger from parching heat 

 very soon. 



Large plants require more careful handling than 

 small plants when transplanting. They should be 

 set a bit deeper in the earth than they were setting 

 before transplanting, the roots should be well 

 watered and the earth pressed down firmly around 

 them. It is best to use the foot when pressing the 

 earth down, as to use the hoe may result in bruising 

 the tender branches or stem. 



When the soil in transplanting does not adhere 

 to the roots of a plant, it is well to puddle them 

 after taking the plant up. Dig a hole in the earth 

 near the plant bed, and into this put a thin slime 

 consisting of a little clay, cow manure, and water. 

 Dip the roots of the plants up and down in this mix- 

 ture, thoroughly coating them. This coating will 

 prevent the air from reaching the rootlets immedi- 

 ately and will aid in securing direct contact between 

 the roots and the soil. 



The soil should be worked over and put in good 

 condition "before transplanting, the exact location 

 of the plants marked, and everything done to 



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