74 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



planting is generally after 4 P. M., for after that time the 

 moisture in the air increases rapidly and the plants have 

 the cool night air in which to recover before being 

 subjected to the intense rays of the sun. Of course if the 

 weather is cloudy the plants may be set out at any time of 

 the day. If a little shade can be provided for the newly 

 set plants so much the better. This may consist of boxes, 

 boards slightly raised from the ground, shingles, inverted 

 flower pots, paper bags, a handful of green grass, strawberry 

 boxes, or similar material that will protect the plants from 

 the fierce rays of the sun. 



Firming the soil about the roots is fully as important as 

 firming the- soil over the seeds, and for the same reasons. 



Fig. 26. Transplanting lettuce in the greenhouse covering. 



It should be so firmly and closely packed that the plants 

 cannot be pulled up without considerable effort. The drier 

 the soil the greater the necessity for packing it firmly about 

 the roots. , If the soil is wet and inclined to pack hard it 

 should receive only moderate pressure until somewhat 

 dried out. The firming is generally done by pressing 

 with a dibble or the ball of the foot against the soil on one 

 side of the roots of the plant. 



