Thinning and Transplanting. 125 



setting out. It is done in the most convenient manner by taking 

 a bundle of plants in the left hand, and removing about half of 

 the tops by a twisting motion of the right hand. Celery plants 

 with excessively long roots should have the tips cut off with a 

 sharp knife. Plants treated in this way, after being planted out, 

 appear as here illustrated. 



Cabbage. Beet. 



Plants properly trimmed. 



Celery. 



TIME OF DAY. Cloudy weather permits of setting out plants 

 safely and with equally satisfactory success at any time of day or 

 night ; but when the sun shines hot and bright, and the soil is 

 somewhat dry, the proverbial " after 4 p. m." is the right and 

 proper time, and better than earlier in the day. If a little shade 

 can be provided for newly-set plants, it is certainly worth some 

 trouble to do so soiled 

 and discarded berry boxes, 

 broken pots, etc., answer a 

 good purpose, and leaves of 

 large weeds, burdock, for 

 instance, will be much 

 better than nothing. Good 

 celery plants are quite 

 sure to survive the fiercest 

 heat, on first being trans- 

 planted, if shaded for some days with a line of boards resting 

 upon blocks or little stakes, and held there a few inches 

 above ground. Bottomless plant pots (5 inch) which I had made 

 for the purpose of bleaching celery, make first-class plant pro- 

 tectors, and plants thus covered for a few days, as appearing in 

 picture, generally pass safely over the critical period. Tomatoes, 



Plant Protectors and Celery Bleachers. 



