SEEDS AND SEED SOWING. TRANSPLANTING 29 



the capillarity of the soil which has been destroyed by open- 

 ing the furrow or hill. The seed drill does this by the 

 pressure of the trail wheel which follows over the planted 

 row after the seed is covered by the planter wings. 



For the best and quickest results the seed should be 

 planted only in freshly prepared ground. In such ground 

 the conditions of heat and moisture are at their best and 

 the seed is placed in surroundings most favorable for quick 

 germination and the growth of the seedling. 



38. Transplanting. To obtain early fruits of such plants 

 as tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, egg plant and peppers, 

 it is necessary to plant the seeds early, in a protected loca- 

 tion, or in a green-house or hot bed, from which the seed- 

 lings are transplanted one or more times. 



Some of the benefits of transplanting are early maturity, 

 the economical use of the ground by growing seedlings for 

 transplanting to the field as soon or even before a crop is 

 taken off, the increase in productiveness that results from 

 transplanting. A plant that has been transplanted develops 

 a better root system than one that is not transplanted. 



Plants to be transplanted should be allowed to dry out 

 for at least a day previous to transplanting and watered just 

 before transplanting. This procedure tends to fill the plants 

 with water just before disturbing them, it also aids in retain- 

 ing a ball of earth around the roots. The plants should be 

 lifted carefully that the system of roots be disturbed and 

 broken as little as possible. The plants will start easier 

 and more quickly if a little water is poured around them 

 when transplanted, or if they can be irrigated after being set. 



Before transplanting begins, the field should be carefully 

 marked that the rows may be straight and properly spaced. 



The time to transplant is determined by conditions of the 

 plants to be transplanted, the weather conditions, conditions 



