THE SEEDLINGS, OUTDOORS 



275 



to crowd. Any one can tell when they stand much too 

 thickly ; but in order to know just how far apart plants should 

 stand, study the planting list. Then thin the plants coura- 

 geously to the proper dis- 

 tances. It needs, courage 

 to do this, for many fine 

 plants must often be 

 taken out and thrown 

 away in order that the 

 others may have room to 

 grow. 



Some vegetables, such 

 as lettuce or beets, can 

 be left at half distances, 

 or can even be thinned 

 but slightly, if the gar- 

 dener intends to pull and 

 use them as soon as they 

 are a little bigger. But 

 they should not be al- 

 lowed to stand long 

 enough to stunt the 

 plants that are to 

 remain. 



In thinning, it is wise 

 to determine just which 

 plants shall remain, and 

 then take away all others 



near them. Be sure to get every one, so that the work 

 will not have to be done again, and so that there will not 

 be crowding after all. Be careful not to twitch out the good 

 plant with the poor one, as may happen if they have stood 

 so long that their roots are intertwined. And if you have 



FIG. 151. Thinning should be careful 

 and courageous. 



