TRANSPLANTING 371 



These advantages make it advisable to transplant cer- 

 tain vegetables into temporary quarters before the final 

 transplanting into beds or fields. If celery, cabbage, or 

 tomato plants are transplanted once before setting in the 

 field, a better stand of plants is obtained. 



Plants which have many small, fibrous roots can be trans- 

 planted most successfully. Cabbage, lettuce, and celery 

 possess such root systems, while peas, melons, and other 

 plants having relatively few fibrous roots are most difficult 

 to transplant. 



The plants should be set slightly deeper than they stood 

 in the seed bed. There is less danger of setting too deep 

 than too shallow. When the plants are tall and spindling, 

 it is especially desirable to set them deep. Plants should 

 be watered an hour or two before digging, and if the weather 

 is hot and dry, should be kept well shaded until ready for 

 setting. Just before a rain or during a dark, cloudy day is 

 the most favorable time for transplanting. When large 

 numbers of plants must be set, transplanting must be done 

 at all times of the day regardless of the weather conditions. 

 If the soil is exceedingly dry, it should be watered before 

 the plants are set. An opening in the soil is then made 

 with the dibble or trowel large enough to accommodate 

 the root system of the plant without crowding. The 

 plant is set with its roots well spread in the hole and the 

 soil pressed firmly about it. 



Transplanting machines are often used where large 

 numbers of plants are to be set. These machines do the 

 work better, more rapidly, and with less expense than is 

 commonly done by hand. A narrow shovel on the ma- 

 chine opens a furrow, while two men seated behind alter- 

 nately drop the plants into this furrow. As each plant 



