Thinning and Transplanting. 123 



The great advantage that transplanted plants have over 

 untransplanted ones, is the greater amount of space which people 

 generally allow to the former. Seedlings are grown thickly in 

 the row, and left thickly. In transplanting, the space is given to 

 each plant that properly belongs 

 to it. Let this be done with 

 the seedlings, by early thinning 

 to the proper distance ; or, let 

 the seed be planted in a pot or 

 can large enough, leaving only a 

 single plant to grow ; and we 

 can thus produce plants with a 

 well-developed root system, and 

 fully the equal to transplanted 

 plants in every respect. This 

 comparison, of course, refers to 

 plants started from seed at the 

 same time. Much higher rates are 

 always asked for " transplanted " 

 cabbage and celery plants, than 

 for common seedlings. The 



Celery plants thinned to two 

 inches apart. 



former, it is true, are usually fine plants, with large roots and 

 stocky tops, and well worth their price. I obtain just as good 

 plants by growing seedlings thinly in drills. All seems to 

 depend chiefly on the amount of space given to each plant, as 

 may be seen in illustrations of celery plants. Well grown, untrans- 

 planted plants appear to 

 be as hardy and as liable 

 to take hold of the soil 

 in their new quarters, as 

 those that have been 

 ' transplanted once or 

 oftener, and they cer- 

 tainly can be grown 

 much more cheaply 

 r and more conveniently. 

 Strong, stocky seedling 

 ITT^N. plants are good enough 

 in any case, and prefer- 

 able to poorly -grown 

 transplanted plants. In 

 determining the fruiting 

 time of tomatoes, pep- 

 pers, egg plants, etc., rapid growth of the seedling, favored by 

 proper allowance of space, however, is not the only, and perhaps 

 not even the chief factor. Age of the plant is certainly of equal, 

 if not superior, influence. For this reason, the plants must be 



A 



Celery plants irregularly thinned. 



