How to Grow Plants from Seeds 191 



change from the warm air of the hotbed or greenhouse 

 to the open air may so injure the tender plant that its 

 growth will be checked for days. As the warmer weather 

 approaches and the plants that are being grown in flats 

 become larger, they should be exposed to the open air 

 for longer periods each day. Finally, they may be left 

 uncovered, even throughout the night. Shortly before 

 the plants are to be placed in the garden, flats may be 

 left without any other protection except that of near-by 

 buildings which keep off the winds. During the period of 

 hardening, the plants should be rather sparsely watered, 

 but care should be taken to prevent them from becom- 

 ing wilted ; their growth must not be checked in any 

 way. 



Transplanting to the garden. Water the flats contain- 

 ing the plants thoroughly, at least an hour before the work 

 is to begin. This allows the cells of the plant to become 

 well filled with water, and it causes soil to adhere to the 

 roots. Dig well under the plants, breaking the roots 

 as little as possible. Reset a plant immediately, before 

 it has time to wilt. Make a suitable hole with a trowel, 

 set the plant somewhat deeper than it formerly grew, 

 completely fill in about the roots with fine soil, and 

 gently firm the soil about the roots. Be sure that the 

 soil is carefully filled in so that no " air pockets " are 

 left about the roots. In the school garden or in the home 

 garden there are usually so few plants to be transplanted 

 that one can afford to take time to do the work well. 

 Water the plants by applying small amounts in a fine 

 spray at intervals of a few minutes, so that the water 

 sinks into the soil without any puddling. 



