240 GARDEJsIXG FOR THE SOUTH. 



diately after a very heavy rain is not the best season, as 

 the soil, if moved while too wet, forms a crust about the 

 plant. In the case of choice young plants, they should 

 be taken up with a trowel, removing them with a ball 

 of earth, and the plant will hardly be checked in its 

 growth. Larger plants may be taken up in the same way 

 with the transplanter or spade. Those not removed with 

 a ball, may be grouted by mixing up a quantity of rich 

 loam in water to a semi-fluid state, and inserting the roots 

 therein. Plants that suffer little in taking up, like the 

 cabbage, may have a hole made in the earth with a dibble 

 and the plant inserted therein, when the dibble is again 

 inserted a little obliquely near the stem, and the earth 

 pushed up close to the root. All tap-rooted plants are 

 moved with difficulty. Many herbaceous plants — sweet- 

 potato slips, for instance — can be safely set out in dry 

 weather in freshly moved soil, by making a hole for their 

 reception, setting the plants therein, and just covering 

 the roots with fine soil; then fill the hole with water about 

 the roots and cover them at the surface with dry soil, to 

 retain the moisture and keep the surface from baking. 

 The operation must be performed in the evening. 



All valuable herbaceous plants should be protected 

 with sun shades or plant protectors, when just planted, if 

 the sun comes out hot. 



