i6 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



the roots are holding firmly enough to resist a slight effort to 

 pull them up. 



On no account must stem or root be bruised by contact with 

 the dibble or the death of the plant is almost certain. After 

 a little practice even a novice can avoid that and in a very short 

 time he will be able to handle the plant safely and rapidly. Quick 

 work is desirable, but the beginner is most seriously urged to 

 learn to perform the operation correctly and deftly before he 

 begins to think of doing it quickly that will come all in good 

 time. 



The distance, in transplanting, from plant to plant is regu- 

 lated by the habit of the plants. Tomatoes should be 2 inches 

 from plant to plant ; lobelias and many other small things may 

 be given I inch as the absolute minimum, and that only on the 

 assumption that they are going to be potted off when strong 

 enough. 



In the spring it is always advisable to keep the sun from 

 newly transplanted stuff, and to keep them reasonably moist 

 and close until they have taken hold. Then they must 

 gradually become inured to more natural conditions, so that 

 they do not run to a soft but to a vigorous and fibrous growth. 

 It is possible for the constitution of any plant to be made or 

 marred at this early stage of its existence, just, indeed, as possible 

 as it is to ruin or make the future man or woman in the days 

 of infancy. 



The admission of air to newly transplanted seedlings needs 

 considerable discrimination. At first it must be admitted 

 grudgingly ; but when in the full vigour of youth they begin 

 to romp away, then the admission of air must be handled as 

 a corrective, to prevent a too rapid growth and to build up 

 fibre and tissue rather than soft, sappy flesh. 



Generally speaking, seedlings when growing should be kept 

 near the glass to prevent them drawing up weakly and to give 

 them the fullest benefits of light and air. 



ANTIRRHINUMS 



If there is any one bedding plant that has come more than 

 another to the front during the past few years it is the 



