PRINCIPLES OF PLANTING AND CULTIVATION 41 



that the plant flags and dies ; but if the leaf area is reduced so that 

 the demands for moisture are greatly diminished, the roots will be 

 able to establish themselves and within a few days provide the 

 necessary amount of moisture. When it is necessary to set plants 

 during a very dry season, it is desirable to take advantage of every 

 precaution that will tend to lessen the demand upon the roots for 

 water. In dry spells gardeners usually endeavor to do their trans- 

 planting from four o'clock in the afternoon to as late an hour as 

 the workmen can see. 



It is also sometimes necessary to supply water in order to insure 

 a stand of plants. If watering is necessary, it should be done an 

 hour or more before the plants are dibbled, so that the soil will 

 have an opportunity to dry a little. It will then assume a better 

 mechanical condition than would be possible if the watering were 

 done after the planting. Watering tends to puddle the soil and to 

 start up direct evaporation, which frequently results in more harm 

 than good. But if the watering is done in advance of the trans- 

 planting, the roots are at once placed in contact with moist earth, 

 and direct evaporation may be checked by sprinkling dry earth over 

 the moistened area as the plants are set. 



Transplanting devices. In order to enable persons engaged in 

 the production of large areas of crops which must be transplanted 

 to do the work quickly, cheaply, and efficiently, several styles of 

 plant-setting machines have been designed. The results aimed at 

 in the construction of all such implements are speed and economy 

 of labor, which are secured by the use of horse power and quick- 

 motioned boys, the efficiency depending upon the skill of the 

 boys. The stand of plants is safeguarded by the use of water in 

 connection with the transplanting. 



The most successful plant-setting machines consist of a frame, 

 usually mounted on three wheels, the third wheel, which has a 

 broad, concave tire and is located under the end of the tongue, 

 serving as a guide and roller. The other wheels are of greater 

 diameter than the third and carry the major part of the load, which 

 consists of a cask of water, a driver, and two boys to place the 

 plants. A furrow is opened by a narrow two-winged plow. The 

 operators place the plants between the two blades of the plow and 

 hold them in proper position until the machine has moved ahead 



