TOMATO SEED BEDS. 345 



four inches. By the time they crowd each other again 

 they can be transplanted outdoors on the south side of the 

 house or barn into a good-sized bed of rich soil. Here 

 they can remain until they get to be large, strong, hardy 

 plants, with very large, fibrous roots. When all danger 

 of frost is over, take a sharp spade and cut out a square 

 of dirt with each plant, put into rows six feet apart, with 



BEDS FOR GROWING TOMATO PLANTS IN IMPERIAL 

 VALLEY. 



the plants the same distance in the row. Plants can be 

 transplanted in this way when over a foot high and in 

 blossom. By transplanting them just at night, or on a 

 cloudy day, they will hardly ever show a wilted leaf." 



Another way to secure large plants for garden planting 

 is to start them in a seed box, in the house, or with bottom 

 heat as described in the chapter on propagation, and then 

 transplant, when small, into growing cases made of dis- 

 carded fruit cans. Select those of similar size, throw 

 them on a burning brush pile for a few minutes, when the 



