142 Southern Gardener^s Practical Manual 



200 pounds of cottonseed -meal, or their equivalent, per 

 acre. List or turn two turn -plow furrows on this, and, 

 just before the plants are ready, complete the beds and 

 harrow across them with a smoothing- harrow with the 

 teeth set at an angle of forty -five degrees. If the soil is 

 wet when it is desired to transplant, drop the plants so 

 that the roots will lie across the center of the bed, and 

 with a stick concaved at one end, press the roots into 

 the soil, taking care that all roots are pressed in. With 

 a slight motion of the stick, fill the hole made in press- 

 ing the plant down. This seems to be a slovenly way of 

 planting, but it has the merit of being rapidly done and 

 involves the least possible stirring of the wet soil and 

 gets the maximum advantage of the moisture in the soil. 

 Besides, the plants put in in this way grow off more 

 promptly than those more carefully set after the soil is 

 dry enough to be stirred. If the soil is in good moist, 

 but not wet condition, open a furrow with a narrow 

 plow in the center of the rows, drop the plants carefully 

 eighteen inches apart, with the roots in the furrow, press 

 the root into the soil, draw enough soil around it to 

 cover well, pack this around the roots, and cover the 

 compacted part with loose soil to prevent baking. If the 

 soil is dry, open holes at the desired intervals deep and 

 large enough to hold a pint of water; place the root in 

 the hole and pour the water on it. Now draw loose soil 

 from the surface until the wet area is covered, but do 

 not press it upon the roots. The water will settle the 

 fine soil around the roots sufficiently. 



Do not water the beds too much afte-r the plants are 

 nearly ready for transplanting, as this will induce a 



