TRANSPLANTING 281 



be out of the soil for any considerable time, do not soak the soil or try 

 to keep it wet during the trip. On the contrary, have it only normally 

 moist, wrap the plants (singly or in small bunches) snugly in sHghtly 

 moistened newspaper, tie each package and pack all together in a 

 paper or burlap lined basket . Later , when you have set them all out , and 

 not till then, give the plants a good drink. This method gives them 

 much less of a shock than the commoner one of soaking them first, 

 then having them often dry out in transit and suffer all the more by 

 contrast. 



After setting out plants, as with all growing crops, water 

 copiously when they need it and cultivate between times. Do not 

 sprinkle lightly every little while, as the plants do not absorb moist- 

 ure through the leaves, and a shallow wetting of the soil only at- 

 tracts the roots up toward the surface where the first real drought 

 often kills some of them . 



What and What Not to Transplant 



There are but few herbaceous plants that cannot be transplanted 

 if taken young enough and handled with sufficient care. Calandrina 

 and annual Poppies are typical exceptions. Among flowers which 

 suffer if allowed to become too large before being moved are Migno- 

 nette, Nasturtium, Bartonia, Candytuft, Centaurea, Clarkia, annual 

 Dianthus, California Poppy, Godetia, annual Larkspur, Lupine, Ni- 

 gella, annual Rudbeckia, Viscaria and, in fact, almost all of the quick- 

 growing annuals. Perennials and plants of the "bedding" sorts may be 

 moved with relative ease and assurance of success. 



Practically the same thing holds true with vegetables, but, except 

 for Lettuce, there is rarely need or desire to transplant the quick- 

 growing annuals. Beets, Carrots and even Radishes can be shifted 

 while very small, but it rarely pays to take the trouble. All the cu- 

 curbits — Melons, Squash, Cucumbers, etc., are almost sure to be 

 injured by transplanting unless started in berry boxes or pieces of 

 inverted sod which can be set out without disturbing the roots, and 

 Corn and Peas are rarely if ever shifted except upon a very small scale. 

 Tomato, all members of the Cabbage family. Celery and Peppers 

 transplant readily and are generally so handled both commercially 

 and in the home garden. 



Transplanting Shrubs and Small Trees 



As far as general transplanting methods are concerned, these two 

 classes of plants may be considered together. As with practically all 

 plants other than herbaceous, they are generally moved while 

 dormant although, as noted above, success may result from Spring 



