REDUCING TRANSPIRATION 



53 



25. — Watermelon plants in veneer dirt 

 band, ready for transplanting. 



to the plants immediately after setting will serve the same purpose, 

 and is sometimes the most convenient way of making the mulch. 



Watering. — If transplant- 

 ing must be done at a time 

 whenthe soil is dry, water must 

 be applied to each plant at the 

 time it is set. It is usually best 

 to apply the water at the root 

 of the plant and to cover the 

 mud with loose dry soil to pre- 

 vent evaporation. If subse- 

 quent watering becomes neces- 

 sary, as is likely to be the case 

 in a dry time, the water should 

 be applied close to each plant 

 in sufficient quantity to reach 



the roots. As soon after the watering as the soil begins to dry, 

 the surface crust should be broken by tillage, so that further 



evaporation will be checked. 

 In this way the plant is en- 

 abled to secure the full bene- 

 fit of the water applied. 



Reducing Transpiration. — 

 If transpiration of water from 

 the plant itself takes place 

 more rapidly than it can be 

 supplied from the soil through 

 the roots, the plant ^vill wilt; 

 and then if unfavorable condi- 

 tions continue too long it will 

 eventually die. Therefore, in 

 addition to insuring the pres- 

 ence of moisture in the soil 

 immediately surrounding the 

 roots, it is advisable to take 

 such precautions as are fea- 

 sible to reduce the rate of 

 transpiration from the plant 

 immediately following transplanting. The rate of transpiration 

 depends considerably upon the temperature and humidity of the 

 atmosphere. The more humid the atmosphere at the time of 



Ftg. 26. — A pot-grown tomato plant, showing 

 ball of earth and development of roots. 



