Seeds, Sowing, Thinning-out, and Transplanting. \ 23 



in drills where the plants are to stand, if the ground is in good 

 order there will naturally be a great many more plants than 

 are required. At first sight this may seem wasteful, but it is 

 nothing compared to the loss incurred when there is " only half 

 a plant." The surplus needs removing at once, otherwise the 

 plants will speedily become drawn and weak. It is a great 

 mistake to let young plants stand together too thickly ; without 

 a sufficient amount of light, air, and moisture it is impossible 

 for them to develope properly. 



Therefore, as soon as the seedlings can be handled, proceed 

 to remove the weakest plants. Thinning should be a process 

 of selection, the best being allowed to remain. At the first 

 thinning the plants may be allowed to stand at half the distance 

 apart it is ultimately intended to leave them for the main crop ; 

 by doing so not only will a full plant be assured, but in the 

 case of such things as beet, onions, and carrots, which may 

 be left until they attain a moderate size without overcrowding, 

 a gathering of choice young roots can be made which will add 

 materially to the profit of the crop. At the same time never 

 delay the final thinning until the plants are unduly crowded, or 

 the main crop will be sure to suffer. 



Transplanting. Good plants are necessary if transplanting 

 is to be conducted successfully. To obtain such plants the 

 seedlings must be thinned out without delay where they stand 

 together too thickly. If grown in a frame or on a hot-bed they 

 should be well hardened before removal, or they may collapse 

 when fully exposed to sun and wind in the open. 



The next important point is to have the land in good order ; 

 it should be in fine tilth, deeply worked, and freshly stirred. 

 The plants will obtain a root-hold much quicker in soil which 

 has been recently moved about on the surface than in one 

 where the surface is beaten down and compacted. 



The best time to transplant is in dull, cloudy or showery 

 weather. If it must be done when the weather is hot and dry 

 the roots, particularly of brassicas, should be dipped in a 

 " puddle " a mixture of clay and water of the consistency of 

 thin cream or the rows may be thoroughly watered after 

 planting and the loose soil on each side afterwards drawn to 



