TREATMENT OF SEEDLINGS. 65 



the tool be properly used the plant may be left sus- 

 pended in a hole with no chance to strike root until 

 the hardened walls of the hole cave in. The proper 

 way to use this tool is to hang it up in the attic, unless 

 the operator can trust himself to press the soil firmly 

 around all sides of each plant that he sets. It seems 

 necessary to repeat the statement that roots frequently 

 transplanted will be straighter than those less often 

 transplanted. 



ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION 



With reference to artificial propagation (see Page 

 30) it seems that some growers have had poor success. 

 Probably when seed becomes cheaper the methods will 

 fall into disuse, but until that time it may be well to 

 remember that neither a root without a crown nor a 

 crown with only a small portion of root should be 

 thrown away, but that each should be planted, because 

 there is a chance that the missing part may be pro- 

 duced. Also, that some plants with roots that meet at 

 a common point, like that illustrated on Page 12, may 

 be divided with fair chances of obtaining additional 

 plants. 



MANURING 



Several writers speak of "enriching" the soil. 

 But by this they do not mean loading the soil with 

 fresh stable manure, nitrate of soda and all sorts of 

 nitrogenous plant food. This practice would fill the 

 heart with gladness to look at the leaves and stems, but 

 the production of root and of seed would be disap- 

 pointing. No, they mean improve the texture of the 

 soil, make the soil light like the loam of the woods 

 where wild flowers grow. You eat some sugar each 

 day, but what good would you be if your diet consisted 

 of nothing but sugar? Balance up, friend. Give 

 fresh ashes, bone meal and other fertilizers containing 

 potash and phosphoric acid. They will give vigor. 



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