PRACTICAL GARDENING 



seedlings from the flat, soak the soil with water 

 so that it will adhere to the roots. Transplant 

 after sundown or on a damp day and water the 

 plants as soon as they are transferred to their 

 permanent home. In some cases the plants 

 should be shaded to prevent any possible wilt- 

 ing, but this depends on the intensity of the 

 sun and the amount of soil that was retained 

 by the roots. Such crops as early cabbage and 

 cauliflower develop a set of fine roots over 

 night if watered freely after transplanting. 



Watering Plants. The object of watering 

 a plant is not to wet the foliage or moisten 

 the surface of the soil, but to get the water to 

 the roots. Apply the water slowly so as to 

 prevent puddling the soil or washing it. It 

 is the best practice to apply the water close 

 to the stem so that it may reach the roots. 

 Wetting the foliage on bright days causes the 

 leaves to scald, and leaving such plants as head 

 lettuce moist over night when the air is warm 

 often causes decay. 



