Sowing and Planting 99 



hands and knees, and, straddling the row, proceed 

 to "set." With the left hand, or a trowel or dibber 

 if the ground is not soft, make a hole large enough 

 to take the roots and the better part of the stem, 

 place the plant in position and firm into place by 

 bearing down with the backs of the knuckles, on 

 either side. Proceed so to the end of the row, being 

 careful to keep your toes from undoing your good 

 work behind you, and then finish the job by walking 

 back over the row, still further firming in each plant 

 by pressing down the soil at either side of the stem 

 simultaneously with the balls of the feet. When all 

 the rows are completed, go over the surface with the 

 iron rake, and you will have a job thoroughly done 

 and neatly finished. 



If the weather and soil are exceptionally dry it 

 may be necessary to take the additional precautions, 

 when planting, of putting a pint or so of water in 

 each hole (never on the surface) previous to plant- 

 ing; or of puddling the roots in a thick mixture of 

 rich soil and water. The large leaves also should be 

 trimmed back one-half. In the case of plants that 

 are too tall or succulent, this should be done in any 

 case — better a day or two previous to setting out. 



AFTER-CARE 



Transplanting should be done whenever possible 

 in dull weather or before rain — or even during it if 



