34- MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



a row may be dug at first ; then the plants set and the 

 water placed in each and the covering done last ; this 

 makes the work go off more quickly as there is then 

 no waiting for the water to soak away. After.all the 

 plants are in, go over the bed carefully and see if any 

 wet spots appear ; if this is the case dry earth should 

 be drawn over them. This dry mulch is the im- 

 portant point in transplanting; if the roots are well 

 wet down and then protected with a dry mulch of 

 soil there will be no check in the growth of the plant 

 and practically no loss in transplanting. The dust 

 mulch keeps the soil and water underneath cool and 

 prevents its drying out. If the surface soil were al- 

 lowed to remain wet, the water would be all drawn 

 to the surface by the action of the sun and the capil- 

 lary action of the soil ; also the sun penetrating the 

 open pores of the soil would heat the water, injuring 

 the roots. Under the action of a wet soil and hot day, 

 plants unprotected by a dust mulch are literally 

 cooked to death. For this reason it will be readily 

 understood that the beds should not be watered after 

 planting, but should be left undisturbed for several 

 days or until they show by the action of the plants 

 that root growth is established. Should any plant 

 show signs of wilting or of needing water it should 

 be supplied by making a hole at one side of the plant, 

 applying water and replacing the dry mulch. No 

 protection of any kind should be given newly set 



