PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 61 



Let a good man pick out the stock; all poor plants should 

 be rejected. It costs no more to care for good ones and the 

 returns are much larger than from the inferior plants. It will 

 keep two men busy carrying in the plants and setting them out 

 on the benches, two more to dig holes, and two of the best men 

 to plant. 



As soon as planted the soil around each plant should be 

 pounded down with a piece of hard wood, making it firm and 

 leaving a slight hole around each plant so that it may be 

 watered without wetting all the soil in the bed. Give the plants 

 a good soaking to settle the soil well around them; no more 

 water is then to be given until the plants are on the dry side, 

 but syringe well several times daily and damp down the walks 

 and beds to maintain a growing atmosphere. 



There is little fear of too much damping down in the scorch- 

 ing days of Midsummer; with the houses wide open evapora- 

 tion is rapid, and the plants will not make a good growth un- 

 less well damped down; but avoid soaking the loam in the 

 benches or it may sour. Cultivate the ground by scratching 

 over the top once a week for a few weeks. This will kill the 

 weeds, aerate the soil and conserve the moisture. 



As soon as the roots spread through the benches, discontinue 

 the cultivating, or be very careful to go lightly on top so as not 

 to injure the roots. Keep the young plants tied up and keep 

 them clean in every way. Increase the water given as the plants 

 grow, but always be careful in the Fall not to overdo it. As 

 the nights lengthen and get cooler, reduce the syringing and 

 damping down processes and always have the foliage dry before 

 sundown. 



Before leaving the subject of planting I might mention that 

 a cloudy day is much the best for this work best for the men, 

 and also for the plants. On at least one of the largest com- 

 mercial ranges I know of a gang is put on at 4 a.m. and the 

 planting for the day is finished by 9 a.m. 



