54 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



using a board wide enough to stand or kneel on, step- 

 ping on the bed is avoided. On a round bed the lines 

 may run straight across or they may radiate from the 

 centre, in which case it will be necessary to skip a 

 part of every other row, as the rows run together 

 at the top. 



It is better to transplant on a bright, warm day 

 when the soil is dry than on a damp or wet one. 

 Never transplant when the soil is wet. Many people 

 take advantage of an approaching rain to set out 

 plants, but this is a doubtful practice. If the rain 

 is followed by several days of cloudy weather, it may 

 do, but if followed by hot sunshine the plants will 

 suffer more than if first planted in sunshine in hot, 

 dry weather. 



Only as many plants should be lifted from the hot- 

 bed at one time as may be transplanted before they 

 wilt badly. The plants should be well watered the 

 night before, that they may have a good supply of 

 moisture stored, and that the soil may be moist and 

 cling closely to their roots. 



With the trowel make a hole deep enough to re- 

 ceive the roots without crowding, place the plant, fill 

 the hole with water, and when that has partly disap- 

 peared press the earth firmly about the roots. Work 

 the surface earth fine and smooth about the plant, 

 taking care that it is perfectly dry. If, after setting 

 the bed, wet spots appear, go over them carefully with 

 dry earth. Do not cover or protect in any way ; far 



