TRANSPLANTING. 17 



than a pint, will sow an acre of land, but it requires a 

 very nice calculation to get the seed evenly distributed 

 and make such a small quantity cover so much ground. 



Seeds sown by machine may be regulated by sowing 

 first on a cloth or floor, and setting the gauge to the 

 proper grade. Some seeds are variable in size ; such 

 should be divided by sifting, and, if sown by machine, 

 put in separately. It is advisable, if possible, to always 

 sow as soon as the ground is prepared, while the surface 

 soil is still fresh and moist, and when covered by raking, 

 always draw the rake lengthwise with the rows. Very 

 fine seed must not be covered too deep. Directions on 

 this point are given under each separate head. 



TRANSPLANTING. 



This is a very important operation, and but few under- 

 stand it properly. As a rule, a plant wheij set out should 

 be so firmly fastened that upon taking the point of a leaf 

 between the thumb and forefinger it will break away be- 

 fore the plant can be pulled out. Even this test may be 

 withstood and the plant still die, from the fact that it is 

 improperly planted. It is often the case that a mass of 

 earth is pressed against the stalk at the surface, while the 

 root is left so loose that it can not get established at once, 

 and the plant dies, or lingers along until perchance there 

 comes a rain to wash the earth about the root, when it 

 starts feebly, and at maturity can not be what it might 

 have been had not its growth been materially checked at 

 the start. With the dibble make a hole larger than the 

 root, that the fibers may be in a natural position ; put in 

 the plant to the first leaves, or as deep as possible without 

 covering the heart. Holding the plant with the left hand, 

 pass the point of the dibble down, close to the plant, car- 

 rying with it a little soil, which press firmly against the 

 root, and knock loose soil into the hole left by the dibble. 



