122 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



127. To check evaporation 

 at transplanting. 



Transplanting young seedlings. 



In the transplanting of cabbages, tomatoes, flowers, and all 

 plants recently started from seeds, it is important that the 

 ground be thoroughly fined and com- 

 pacted. Plants usually live better if 

 transplanted into ground that has been 

 freshly turned. If possible, transplant 

 in cloudy or rainy weather, particularly 

 if late in the season. Firm the earth 

 snugly about the roots with the hands or feet, in order to bring 

 up the soil moisture; but it is generally best to rake the surface 

 in order to reestablish the earth-mulch, unless the plants are so 

 small that their roots cannot reach through the mulch (p. 98). 



If the plants are taken from 

 pots, water the pots some time 

 in advance, and the ball of 

 earth will fall out when the 

 pot is inverted and tapped 

 lightly. In taking up plants 

 from the ground, it is advis- 

 able, also, to water them well 

 some time before removing; 

 the earth may then be held 

 on the roots. See that the 

 watering is done far enough 

 in advance to allow the water 

 to settle away and distribute itself; the earth should not be 

 muddy when the plants are removed. 



In order to reduce the evaporation from the plant, shingles 



may be stuck into the ground to shade the plant; or a screen 



may be improvised with pieces of paper (Fig. 122), tin cans, 



inverted flower-pots, coverings of brush, or other means. 



It is nearly always advisable to remove some of the foliage, 



128. Plants sheared and not sheared 

 when transplanted. 



