Seven] ratlpat 55 



more plants are lost by so-called protection than by 

 any other form of mismanagement. If the planting 

 has been done properly the roots will keep cool and 

 damp the mulch of earth preventing evapora- 

 tion. This being the case, the tops will take care 

 of themselves if sun and air have free access and the 

 wind can sweep across them. Planting, as it is usually 

 done with the surface left wet, and the air shut 

 away from the top causes the water to evaporate 

 rapidly in the hot air, and the plant is literally cooked 

 to death. The water applied to the roots at planting 

 will usually last for several days. The condition of 

 the soil may be ascertained by removing a portion of 

 the surface. If the earth underneath is found to be 

 drying out too much make a hole on one side of the 

 plant and fill it with water as before, carefully re- 

 placing the mulch of dry earth. Should it rain before 

 the plants have become established the earth must be 

 worked over as soon as it begins to dry that the 

 moisture may be retained. If these directions are 

 carefully carried out the tenderest plants may be 

 transplanted in the hottest sun without injury. Oc- 

 casionally a plant will wilt from exposure before plant- 

 ing, but it will be all right the next day unless it 

 was really injured before being placed in the ground. 

 I repeat the caution to lift no more plants at one time 

 than may be set in the ground before they wilt; to 

 form a fine mulch of dry earth over the soil; to cover 

 plants in no way, and to use no water on the surface 



