50 



TRANSPLANTING 



twelve weeks, depending upon the kind of plant in question. Plants 

 grown in hotbeds or greenhouses should be properly ''hardened 

 off" before transplanting into the open. This is accomplished by 

 diminishing the amount of water applied and gradually accustom- 

 ing the plants to lower temperature. Under this treatment the 

 plants cease their rapid, sappy growth and become more hard and 

 woody. In this condition they bear transplanting more readily. 



Fig. 23. — Well-grown tomato plants ready for transplanting. 



Plants are kept from suffering from lack of moisture while 

 being transplanted (1) by very thorough watering a few hours 

 before they are removed from the seed bed, so that their tissues 

 will be filled with water, and also in order that they may be removed 

 without seriously damaging the roots; (2) by transplanting as 

 quickly as possible after removing from the seed bed; and (3) by 

 protecting the plants from wilting while they are being carried 

 about the field during the transplanting. This protection is 



