THINNING AND TRANSPLANTING 



two strongest plants, but we should leave only one 

 squash to a hill. 



Peas, as a rule, are not thinned at all, but it 

 would be wise to do so if you sowed the seed too 

 thick. 



Now I want to tell you just a little more about 

 transplanting. When you set out your tomato, cab- 

 bage, pansy, aster or any other plants you must do 

 it with great care so the plant will not be stunted 

 or set back in its growth any more than you can 

 help. If the plant has been grown in a pot the roots 

 and earth come out nicely in a good ball, but if the 

 plants have been grown close together the roots 

 become broken when we separate the plants. 



I have no doubt many of you will buy tomato and 

 cabbage plants, possibly many other varieties. 

 These plants are grown in shallow boxes, called 

 "Flats." The plants are apt to be tall and spindly 

 with rather weak stems ; it is because they have been 

 grown where the temperature is quite warm and 

 have grown too fast really out-grown their 

 strength as so many children do. Our problem is 

 to make strong, healthy grown-ups out of these 

 weak children, so we will give them extra good care 

 for a week, when Mother Nature, who is always 

 helping everywhere, will have done so much that 



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