EXERCISE 73 



WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE NECESSARY IN TRANSPLANTING 

 YOUNG PLANTS? 



Materials. A tray of earth with seedlings of tomato, cabbage, or 

 other small plants ; a second tray with earth to which seedlings 

 may be transplanted. Both trays must have holes for drainage. 



Directions for work. Transplant groups of seedlings as directed 

 below, using great care. Young seedlings are very delicate. 



Group A. Lift out a clump of dirt containing a number of 

 seedlings. Gently loosen the dirt from the roots and transfer 

 each plant quickly to a hole in the earth in the second tray. 

 These holes may be made by use of a pointed stick. Press the 

 earth firmly about the roots. Reject all small or weak plants. 



G-roup B. Transplant as directed for Group A. 



Group C. Handle same as Group A with the exception that 

 the roots are to be exposed to the air several minutes. Record 

 the time of exposure. 



Group D. Handle same as Group A except that the ground 

 is not to be pressed about the roots more than necessary to keep 

 the plants in position. 



Group E. Transplant carefully in all respects, but bruise the 

 stem of each plant slightly by pinching it. 



Group F. Allow a certain number of plants to remain in the 

 original tray undisturbed. Water them and care for them just 

 as you do for those that have been transplanted. 



Cover all plants with newspaper except Groups B and F. 

 Set them in a light place and water freely for several days. 

 The newspaper should protect those which are covered from 

 excessive transpiration. After several days the paper may be 

 removed. At the end of a week compare the groups. What do 

 you learn from each group ? 



Write careful directions for transplanting, emphasizing the 

 points you have found to be important. 



Watch the plants for several weeks, and by comparing Group 

 F with the other groups try to determine whether transplanting 

 is necessarily harmful to plants. 



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