THINNING AND TRANSPLANTING 



the roots, where they can draw on it as they need to. 

 The next most important thing is to keep the plant 

 covered with either a box or a flower pot, or berry 

 basket or even newspaper, during the day. This 

 keeps the plant shaded and cool and prevents the 

 rapid escape of the moisture from the soil. When 

 evening comes, remove the cover and lightly stir the 

 soil about the plant but be sure to put the covers 

 over them again the next morning unless it is rain- 

 ing. Keep this up for several days until the plants 

 look strong again. The rain brings to our plants 

 something we cannot give them from a watering can 

 or hose, and it will do more to revive a transplanted 

 plant than any other thing. Good gardeners al- 

 ways try to transplant either just before or during 

 a rain. I have worked many and many a day in 

 raincoat and Sou'wester and just loved it rain and 

 plants and gray sky and wonderful growing odors 

 and the knowledge that the plants would be glad. 

 I was not afraid I would melt if a drop of rain 

 touched me. 



