104 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



EXPOSURE. 



As soon as the plants are up the question of exposure to the sun 

 arises, and most likely the boxes wUl require a change of location, 

 for of all things, the sun is a party to the transaciioa that cannot 

 be ignored with very good success and the same may be said of a 

 supply of fresh air for the seedlings. Pale, spindling or "drawn" 

 plants are caused by a lack of sunlight or of air, or of both, and 

 strict regard to these two elements must be paid, if any success is 

 to be realized in growing either flower or vegetable plants indoors, 

 for transplanting to the open ground at the proper season. Any 

 properly ventilated living room is all right for plants, as far as air 

 is concerned, provided the seedlings are not stiffled by being covered 

 closely by glass as we sometimes see them. But as regards sun- 

 light it cannot be said that every sitting room or kitchen is all that 

 can be desired for the growing of plants, or that even moderate 

 success is to be expected from the attempt to grow them under con- 

 ditions found in many such rooms. 



An unlimited amount of sunlight and a high temperature are 

 indispensable for the production of good and early tomato plants, and 

 the rooms that furnish these to a sufficient degree are extremely few, 

 if indeed any are to be found. But if one is out of reach of a green- 

 house where such plants can be purchased, the next best thing must 

 be done. 



TRANSPLANTING. 



As soon as plants are large enough to stand being disturbed, 

 transplanting must be at once attended to, for plants sutler much 

 more by a delay of transplanting than by being handled when too 

 tender. In general, all plants are ready for handling as soon as 

 they have made from two to four leaves, beside the seed leaves. 



Plants intended for pot growing should be removed from the seed 

 bed to small pots and here it is necessary to caution against the use 

 of other than small ones, i. e., from two to three inches in diame- 

 ter, and never use the latter size when the smaller will answer. Too 

 much pot room is capable of as much mischief as too little of the 

 same, and is much more liable to occur. Potting earth and the bed 

 for transplants should be richer than the seed bed. 



Plants designed for the gardens should be transplanted to other 

 and generally deeper boxes, or to the hot bed or cold frame. P^or 

 the first transplanting I have in mind no kind of plant that requires 



