TRANSPLANTING 



279 



If the plants are crowded, so that you must lift several at 

 a time, lift only a trowelful, set them, and return for more. 

 But if the place where they are to be set is at a considerable 

 distance, so that you must lift them all at once, shade them 

 until you set them. It is a good plan, in such a case, to 



FIG. 153. If possible, take with each plant a trowelful of earth. 



carry them in a box, into which you pour water, so that they 

 wait in mud. 



Separating such crowded plants should be done patiently 

 and delicately. Tear the roots as little as possible. If any 

 are much injured, throw them away and take plants with 

 better roots. The root is more important than the top. 



In setting small plants, thrust the finger, or the hand, or a 

 trowel, or a dibber, into the soft ground and make a hole 

 to the proper depth. Lower the roots of the plant into it, 



