280 GARDEN GUIDE 



as it rots away. When pots are not used, this second transplanting 

 usually injures the root system more or less, so it is well to pinch off 

 about half the leaf surface of each seedling as it is set out. 



"Whenever Cabbage, Tomato, Pepper or other plants that are 

 attacked by cutworms are set outdoors, it is well to wrap a paper collar 

 around the stem of each one. This should extend about an inch above 

 and an inch below the surface of the ground. Another type of cutworm 

 preventer is a disc of tough paper (tarred roofing paper is good) slit 

 to the center and slipped around the stem of the plant close to the 

 ground. An additional precaution that is especially worth while in 

 the case of Lettuce, is to cover each newly set out plant with an old 

 berry box or some kind of commercial plant protector or shade. This 

 will tend to prevent severe wilting and a resulting check; but whatever 

 is used, be sure to provide for ventilation through or under it. 



Transplanting to the Open Ground 



Whether you have raised your plants from seed or have bought 

 pot grown stock from a nurseryman or plantsman, the details of setting 

 out both vegetables and ornamentals are the same . In the small garden 

 it is usually possible to arrange or wait for conditions that are just about 

 right. A damp, cloudy day is best, especially if there is good chance 

 of a rainstorm before long. Otherwise wait till the cool of the evening 

 so that the plants may have the night in which to get over the shock 

 of being moved — for it is a shock — and then, if the next day is clear and 

 hot, shade them shghtly. 



In planting Strawberries it is customary to trim the roots off 

 evenly about six inches long, as well as part of the tops. This gives a 

 thick, uniform bunch of fibrous roots that are easily handled and 

 quickly inserted into an opening made in the soil with a thrust of spade. 

 This is good practice with any fibrous-rooted plant that stands trans- 

 planting well, but there are many sorts with which the less root dis- 

 turbance the better In moving these, prepare the hole, invert the 

 pot, holding the stem of the plant between the first two fingers, tap 

 the rim of the pot against any hard object and place the root ball in 

 the hole with the sHghtest possible loss of soil; then fill the hole with 

 water and let it soak in before replacing the soil. The final step is to 

 leave a sHght depression around the plant so that surface water will run 

 in toward the roots, rather than away from them as it would from a 

 mounded up surface. If the soil is heavy and tends to bake, sprinkle 

 a little loose, dry earth around the plant as a mulch to prevent exces- 

 sive evaporation. 



In this connection a hint in regard to packing growing plants for 

 shipment may not be out of place. If they are to go any distance and 



