Thinning and Transplanting. — 163 



started early, and as the production of seedlings is more difficult, 

 and requires so much longer time than that of cabbage plants, 

 they must properly be started in " flats " or hot-bed, thickly 

 together, and planted out at an early age, giving the space 

 required for the production of good plants. Even in this opera- 

 tion it is always safest to select the most favorable conditions — 

 moist atmosphere and least root disturbance — and thus to limit 

 the unavoidable check to plant growth to the smallest amount 

 practicable. 



Conditions of Success in Transplanting. — In a wet season, 

 or during a wet spell, setting out plants in the open ground is an 

 easy enough operation, and anybody, no matter how unskilled, 

 can succeed without effort. During a prolonged spell of heat 

 and drought — and we are apt to have such at the season for setting 

 celery and late cabbages — the gardener often finds his skill and 

 experience put to a severe test by the task. A supply of first- 

 class plants, i. e., such as were grown with proper allowance of 

 space to each plant, and consequently possess a fully-developed 

 root system and a short, stocky top, makes success reasonably 

 certain even under otherwise unfavorable conditions, especially 

 if bome soil be left adhering to the roots in lifting and shifting. 

 The most essential requirement, however, in any case is that the 

 soil be moist, not wet or sticky, but so that it will easily crumble 

 between the hands. If the soil be dry, it must be freshened and 

 moistened by artificial watering, or failure will be the sure result. 

 Planting in dry soil is usually fatal, even if water be applied 

 afterwards. Always plant in freshly-stirred soil ^ is as good a rule 

 as the similar one relating to seed sowing. 



Puddling. — Simply dipping the roots of plants in water just 

 before setting them, is fully as effective as the famous manipula- 

 tion known as " puddling" (dipping in thin mud), and it is much 

 cleaner, more convenient, and generally preferable. I, myself, 

 have no use for " puddling," neither for vegetable, nor small fruit 

 plants and trees ; but dipping the roots in clear water, just before 

 setting the plants, is a precaution which I, or any other gardener, 

 can not afford to neglect. 



Firming the Roots. — Another indispensable requisite in 

 successful transplanting is the thorough firming of the soil around 

 the roots. It should be packed so tightly and closely that parts 

 of the plant would sooner tear off than allow the plant to be 

 pulled up by them. It is advisable, however, to draw a little 

 loose soil as a kind of protection and mulch up over the firmed 

 soil and around the plant, and in very dry weather the latter may be 

 well-nigh covered up with loose soil to prevent rapid evaporation. 



Shortening Tops and Roots. — Another sensible precaution 

 in dry weather is the trimming or shortening in of the tops of 

 cabbage, celery and other plants when getting them ready for 



