STARTING PLANTS 147 



From the standpoint of economy of space, early trans- 

 planting is a disadvantage, but it is unquestionably best 

 from the standpoint of growing strong, stocky plants. 

 Lettuce is often transplanted before the true leaves are 

 formed. 



There is the greatest diversity of practice in methods 

 of transplanting. Spotting boards of different kinds are 

 made to mark the soil in the flats or beds. They may be 



Fig. 51. Spotting board used in transplanting lettuce. 



provided with slight projections which merely indicate 

 the places where the plants are to be set or they may 

 contain pegs (Fig. 51) which when forced into the soil 

 and withdrawn make holes for the roots of the plants. 

 The latter plan saves time and, properly executed, results 

 in straight rows uniformly spaced. 



The soil may be pressed firmly to the roots of the 

 plants with the fingers, or a small dibber may be found 

 convenient for this purpose. The plan should be used 

 which is most convenient to the gardener. Soil of the 

 proper moisture content is even more important for trans- 

 planting than for seed sowing. Some water is generally 

 applied after the plants are shifted, though this is un- 

 necessary if the soil is as moist as it can be made without 

 being too wet. When plants are shifted from pots of one 

 size to those of a larger size, a little earth is first placed 

 in the bottom of the pot, and soil is then packed between 

 the ball of earth and the side of the pot. A common 



