36 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES. 



deep down in the soil for their own requirements. Too 

 much water, also, has the effect of caking the surface 

 skin of the ground and making it non-porous. Lastly, 

 watering in the early part of the season may reduce the 

 temperature of the soil and check growth. 



Thinning is another matter that requires attention. 

 This should be done as early as possible after the tiny 

 plants show themselves. Aim at two things when 

 performing the work. Try to leave the seedlings an 

 even distance apart, and, as far as possible, pull out the 

 straggling, twisted, unhealthy specimens, preserving 

 those that are erect and robust. Do the work after a 

 shower or watering and be careful to press the soil around 

 the remaining crop. 



When transplanting seedlings, lift them with as big a 

 ball of soil as you can (see Plate 5, Fig. 10) ; if the earth 

 is crumbly and falls away use the water-can on the seed- 

 bed about a quarter of an hour prior to transference. 

 Do not plunge the roots in a hole that is too small for 

 them, but allow plenty of room. Most plants do better 

 when the surface immediately around the stem is con- 

 caved (Plate 5, Fig. 8) ; this dip conserves the moisture 

 and permits of a slight earthing up of the stem later on 

 (Plate 5, Fig. 9). Autumn crops which are likely to 

 remain in the ground during frosty weather should be 

 planted in V-shaped trenches ; this affords them much 

 protection against the inclemencies which are sure to 

 follow. 



In hot weather, when transplanted seedlings are liable 

 to flag before they have become established, some form 

 of protection must be given. Make two long skeleton 

 frames, say aix by one foot, nail some calico over them 



