Seeds, Sowing, Thinning-out, and Transplanting. 125 



from the suitably-formed branch of a tree, preferably of hard 

 wood. A number of such dibbers, in several sizes, should be 

 kept ready for use. 



When transplanting, it is customary for 

 a boy to carry the plants in a covered 

 basket, and to drop them at the right dis- 

 tances apart just ahead of the planters. 

 Usually one boy will drop plants for two 

 men ; he should not drop faster than the 

 plants are required. 



To plant, hold the dibber in the right 

 hand and the plant in the left ; push the 

 dibber straight downward into the soil 

 with a half turn, so that it will enter more How the Dibber is used - 

 easily; lower the plant into the hole and see that the roots 

 enter easily and are not turned upward ; set the plants deeply, 

 up to the seed leaf ; then again insert the dibber, a short dis- 

 tance away from the plant, and with it press the soil firmly 

 against the root. The plant should be fixed so tightly in the 

 soil that the top will break off before the plant will draw. In 

 dry weather loose soil should be drawn up to the stems on each 

 side of the row when the planting is finished. 



When there is no option and very long drawn plants must 

 be set, they should be inserted in the ground in a slanting 

 position, so that the whole of the stem is covered with moist 

 soil. They take longer to plant in this manner, but it is well 

 worth the trouble, as then roots form all along the buried stem, 

 and the plant ultimately developes almost as well as though 

 it had been sturdy when set out. 



Pricking-out. Transplanting has so far been considered only 

 as a removal of the plant from the seed bed to its permanent 

 quarters, but in gardens where the highest class of produce is 

 raised it is customary to " prick-out " the seedlings into a 

 nursery bed where, having ample light, air, and space for 

 development, they grow into stocky and sturdy specimens. 

 This system has much to recommend it where the operations 

 are conducted on a moderate scale, and indeed it is probable 

 that.it would pay to carry out even on the most extensive scale, 



