FRAMES AND HOTBEDS 119 



a chance to dry off before the frames are closed 

 for the night. Young seedlings need watering as 

 soon as the surface of the soil looks dry; use a 

 fine-rosed watering can and give a thorough soak- 

 ing, taking care not to wash the seedlings out of 

 the soil. Examine the condition of the soil by 

 taking it in the hands and squeezing it; if it holds 

 together the beds will not need water, but if, on 

 the other hand, the soil falls apart, like ashes, then 

 it needs a thorough watering, not merely a surface 

 wetting. Always watch the top end of the frames, 

 as that part always dries out more rapidly, be- 

 cause it has more sun and a better circulation 

 of air. 



Transplanting. When the seeds have made their 

 first true leaves, transplant them into other frames, 

 for if they are not separated, they will crowd one 

 another. Set the plants about four inches apart 

 each way, shade for a day or so or until they take 

 hold of the new soil, then gradually inure them to 

 the sunlight. Sprinkle the plants frequently to 

 keep them from wilting. Stir the surface of the 

 soil at least once a week, and remove all weeds 

 as they appear. 



Hardening off. Before transplanting the seed- 

 lings to the open ground, they must be "hardened 

 off." This process needs one to two weeks. In do- 

 ing this, air is admitted in larger and larger quanti- 

 ties until the sashes are removed entirely during 

 the day. During the night ventilation is given 

 by leaving the sash open, at first only a small 

 crack, which is increased gradually until it is four 



