HAPPY RAIN OR SHINE 131 



from a dozen tomato plants he was selling to a 

 green suburbanite ! 



Naked roots can be made to grow if the soil 

 above is firmly pressed down on them and then 

 liberally watered and the plant shaded with 

 shingles for a few days. Or you might hold a 

 parasol over it a day or two. 



The notion that lettuce and romaine seedlings 

 must be transplanted if you want them to head 

 is incorrect. If you start your seeds very early 

 in a box or cold frame they must, of course, be 

 set out; but usually I have had more success 

 in my head-hunting expeditions if the seeds 

 were planted as early as the soil can be spaded 

 into a rich and easily watered spot where they 

 can be left. Volunteer plants that is, self- 

 sown plants are most likely of all to head. 

 Transplanting, no matter how carefully done, is 

 likely to delay heading a week or longer, and in 

 raising vegetables of all kinds we don't want 

 any speed limit. If you don't believe this, 

 read the next chapter and be convinced. 



