148 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



also to sprinkle the tops at this time, although in large 

 commercial plantings this precaution is seldom taken. 

 When setting in the field, the plants are usually protected 

 from the sun to keep the roots moist and to prevent 

 unnecessary wilting; they should be planted in fresh 

 soil as soon as possible after pulling. Clipping the tops 

 before planting is a benefit, especially if the tops are 

 large or the plants spindly. 



Field planting can be done very rapidly by boys when 

 the force is properly organized. If the foreman is patient, 

 boys can soon be taught to use dibbers or trowels. In 

 heavy soils the following plan is satisfactory: Have a 

 good foreman who understands boys, a man, a horse 

 and a single light shovel plow to make furrows, which 

 should not be opened faster than they are needed. A 

 dozen boys make a convenient force. Let six of them 

 drop plants and six set them. Designate the boys as 

 droppers and planters, and give each a number, running 

 from one to six. Have it understood that each bov. is 

 to drop or plant the row that corresponds w f ith his num- 

 ber. The foreman walks behind the boys and sees that 

 the work is done properly and that the boys are kept 

 together. With this plan of organization, a dozen boys 

 and two men will plant 40,000 to 50,000 plants in a day. 

 If the boys are paid 50 to 60 cents and the men $1.50, the 

 cost an acre will be about $3. 



208. Watering. As previously indicated, it is often 

 an advantage to water ground before transplanting. This 

 is not possible on most farms, so that good judgment and 

 great care must be exercised to conserve the proper 

 amount of moisture by tillage operations. When plants 

 are set during a protracted drouth it is sometimes neces- 

 sary to use water in the holes. This is a tedious and ex- 

 pensive operation when large areas are to be planted, 

 and with good management it is seldom necessary. There 

 are occasions, however, when it must be done to avoid 



