HOTBEDS 33 



or the sowing of seed; it should have time to settle 

 and become close and firm but not hard. 



Where plants are to be set in straight rows, as in 

 borders or in square beds it will be best to draw lines 

 for the regular setting either by the aid of a garden 

 line or by the use of a board. Where square beds are 

 to be planted the use of a board is a great help as it 

 gives a place to stand or kneel without treading on 

 the bed and the space at which the plants should be 

 set can be marked on the edge of the board with 

 chalk, thus enabling one to work rapidly and accur- 

 ately. If the board is the width of the space between 

 the rows so much the better as it needs only to be 

 moved its own width to mark the new line of plants. 



Only as many plants should be lifted at one time 

 as can be gotten into the ground before they wilt. 

 In lifting the plants press the trowel well down be- 

 low the roots and lift a bunch of plants at a time, do 

 not separate the plants until you are ready to plant 

 them, and then carefully, one at a time. Make for 

 each plant a hole with the trowel large enough to re- 

 ceive the roots without crowding, place the plant in 

 position and draw about the roots part of the dis- 

 placed earth, pressing it firmly down and about the 

 stem; pour in sufficient water to fill the hole; wait 

 for it to seep away and then fill in the remainder of 

 the soil. Do not press this down hard, but make it 

 level, dry and fine above the roots. All the holes of 



