46 



VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



and every precaution taken to get good roots. If the seed bed is 

 very dry, the soil should be thoroughly wet before digging, so 

 that the sm#ll roots will not be broken in separating the 

 plants. The best time of day for transplanting is generally 

 after 4 p.m.. as after that time the moisture in the air increases 

 rapidly, and the plants have the cool night in which to recover 

 before being subjected to the intense rays of the sun. Of 

 course, if the weather is cloudy, the plants may be set out at 

 any time of the day. If a little shade can be provided for the 

 newly set plants, so much the better. This may consist of 

 boxes, boards slightly raised from the ground, shingles, in- 

 verted flower pots, paper bags, a handful of green grass, 

 strawberry boxes or similar material that will protect the 

 plants from the fierce rays of the sun. 



■v*. 



Figure 17.— Tomato plants grown in a compartment box to facilitate trans- 

 planting. Such boxes can be bought for a very low price and are very 

 convenient aids for transplanting many kinds of plants. They are 

 especially desirable when plants are to be sold at retail. 



Firming the soil about the roots is fully as important as 

 firming the soil over the seeds and for the same reasons. 

 It should be so firmly and closely packed that the plants can- 

 not be pulled up without considerable effort. The drier the 



