AGKONOMY 



when directions on a seed packet say the seeds should be 

 sown where the plants are wanted, transplanting should not 

 be attempted. There are several advantages, however, to be 

 gained by transplanting. Earlier crops may be produced by 

 starting plants in the house before they can grow out of doors, 

 and transplanting them to the garden when the weather has 

 moderated. Plants that require a long season to come to 



maturity may also be in- 

 duced to fruit earlier by 

 this means. By starting 

 plants in this way they 

 may be set in the place of 

 those that mature early 

 and a second crop thus 

 secured, or they may be 

 used to fill up gaps in 

 the plantings caused by 

 the depredations of in- 

 sects, plant diseases, or 

 the failure of the seeds 

 to grow. Warm-season 

 plants are usually long- 

 season plants also, and 

 several of these, such as 

 eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes, are always transplanted, 

 thus securing earlier and more abundant crops. Other plants 

 that are able to mature from seed planted in the open ground 

 are usually treated in this way, especially cabbage, cauliflower, 

 and celery. Beets, chard, lettuce, and onions are occasionally 

 transplanted. 



Transplanting should be done on cool or cloudy days and 

 preferably in the late afternoon. Young plants may be trans- 

 planted as soon as they have developed their second or third 

 leaves. Moving very young plants in this way is called 



FIG. 101. A transplanting trowel and a 



dibber 

 A trowel of this kind is often used as a dibber 



