272 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



of power sprayers, and of carts or wagons when harvest- 

 ing the crop. Yields by weight are larger when dis- 

 tances are medium rather than close. The most ap- 

 proved plan is to plant rather close in the row and allow 

 a liberal space between rows. Some of the most success- 

 ful growers prefer planting in check rows because of ad- 

 vantages in cultivating, and because less hoeing is 

 required than in the usual method. 



356. Transplanting in the field. A moist soil and 

 damp, cloudy weather are most favorable to transplant- 

 ing in the field. The plants should not be checked more 

 than necessary and an effort should be made to retain 

 as much soil as possible on the roots. If grown in flats, 

 each plant may be removed with a portion of soil and 

 manure attached (Figure 38). Flat-grown plants if care- 

 fully removed from the boxes may be set in the driest 

 weather without watering, either at the time of trans- 

 planting or afterward. It is urgent, however, that no 

 time be lost in getting the plants into the field when the 

 time for planting arrives. This time is variable through 

 the North, but April 15 is not too early for most sec- 

 tions. If the plants have been well hardened, they will 

 stand severe freezing in the field, and a drop of 10 degrees 

 below freezing may do no harm. 



In the South the plants are usually set in the fall on 

 the south or the east side of ridges. Deep planting is 

 important for fall setting, to prevent splitting or bursting 

 of the stems. 



Large areas are generally planted by machines. The 

 transplanter is a valuable implement, because its work is 

 better than that of many laborers. By steady driving the 

 rows may be made very straight and the plants set even 

 more firmly than by hand. The furrow is closed in a 

 few moments after it is opened, so there is no time for 

 the soil to dry out and the roots are brought into inti- 

 mate relation with the soil particles. Water may be used 



