PLANTING IN FIELD AND GARDEN 53 



time, that the first lot will invariably include those 

 that are not true to variety type. 



Broad, flat pans, made of galvanized iron, 3 inches 

 deep and 16 inches in diameter, are suitable for hold- 

 ing the plants while they are being transported 

 from the plant bed and set in the field. If the 

 weather is dry, a layer of wet moss placed in the 

 bottom of each of the pans will aid greatly in keep- 

 ing the plants in good condition. The work of 

 taking up the plants is generally performed by 

 boys and girls or other cheap labor, but it is essen- 

 tial that the work should be well done, as the speed 

 attained by the planters and the growth of the 

 plants afterward depend largely upon the condition 

 of the plants when set. The pans containing the 

 plants should be either carried or carefully hauled 

 . to the fields where the planting is being done, and 

 protected from drying until required for setting. If 

 the plants have made a vigorous growth in the 

 plant bed, it will be advisable to cut back the tops, 

 by means of a lawn mower, scythe, or sickle, in 

 order to reduce the drain upon the roots until the 

 plant becomes established in the open ground. 



Packing Celery Plants for Shipment. — Where it 

 is desirable to ship celery plants either by express 

 or freight, the}^ should be packed in a crate similar 

 to that shown in Fig. 19. The bottom portion of 

 the crate should be tight while the top part is 

 made as open as possible for ventilation. Before 

 packing the plants a layer of wet moss is placed in 

 the bottom of the crate and the roots set upon or 

 slightly imbedded in the moss. The plants should 



