234 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



tiles or perforated pipes are laid on a level a few inches below the 

 surface of the soil. This system is especially adapted for use in 

 backyard gardens where city water is available and where the area 

 under cultivation is small. Subirrigation is expensive to install, 

 as the lines of tiles should be about 3 feet apart, or one line for 

 each standard row. By connecting the tiles at one end by means 

 of a tile across the rows the water may be discharged into the tiles at 

 one point from a hose, and will find its way to all parts of the sys- 

 tem, entering the soil through the openings. 



THINNING. 



Where plants are not to be transplanted twice, but remain in the 

 plant bed until required for setting in the garden, it may be neces- 

 sary to thin them somewhat. This part of the work should be done 

 as soon as the plants are large enough to pull, and before they begin 

 to "draw" or become spindling from crowding. 



When thinning plants in the plant bed it should be the aim to 

 remove the centers of the thick bunches, leaving the spaces as uni- 

 form as possible. When thinning the rows of seedlings in the garden 

 the best plants should be allowed to remain, but due consideration 

 should be given to the matter of proper spacing. Failure to thin 

 plants properly will invariably result in the production of an in- 

 ferior crop. 



There is a tendency for some gardeners to leave the plants of 

 carrots, onions, and similar vegetables too thick, or to defer the 

 thinning^ too long, with the intention of making use of the thin- 

 nings. Usually this is a serious error, except in the case of beets, 

 which can be used quite young for greens. The crowded seedlings 

 do not reach edible size as soon as they would if not crowded; 

 and the removal of part of the crowded plants when they are 

 wanted for the table is likely to seriously disturb and impair the 

 growth of those which remain. A better plan is to make at least 

 a preliminary thinning as early as possible, leaving the plants 

 perhaps twice as thick as they are eventually to stand; and then to 

 pull out every other plant after they reach edible size. This method 

 of thinning is especially adapted to beets, carrots, lettuce and onions. 

 The other root crops, like parsnips and salsify, should be thinned 

 to the full distance at the first thinning. (U. Wis. Cir. 16; F. B. 

 255.) 



TRANSPLANTING. 



At the North, where the growing season is short, it is necessary 

 to transplant several of the garden crops in order to secure strong 



flants that will mature within the limits of the growing season, 

 n the Southern States the season is longer, and transplanting, 

 while desirable, may not be necessary, as many crops that must be 

 started indoors at the North can be planted in the garden where 

 they are to remain. Transplanting should be done as soon as the 

 seedlings are large enough to handle, and again when the plants 

 begin to crowd one another. Aside from producing more uniform 

 and hardy plants, the transplanting process has several other very 

 marked influences. Certain crops which are grown for their straight 



