Propagation 63 



The plant-bed will require frequent and careful at- 

 tention and should be so situated as to be easily ac- 

 cessible at all times. Proximity to the field is not so 

 important as nearness to the residence, as transporta- 

 tion of the plants is comparatively easy. Many large 

 growers have found it convenient to provide a small 

 shed where the plants may be placed temporarily in the 

 shade while waiting to be carried to the field for plant- 

 ing. 



Convenient watering facilities are an absolute neces- 

 sity and this should be borne in mind when selecting 

 the site. If the honae place is located on a hill and the 

 plant-bed is on lower ground nearby, a very convenient 

 and economical watering system can often be provided 

 by piping water from the home well to a barrel placed 

 on a platform at the bed. When such a system is used, 

 the water is convenient both for watering the bed and 

 for filling the planter when it comes for a supply of 

 plants. An open trough may often be used to convey 

 the water instead of pipe when the former is more 

 economical. Thoughtful care in locating the plant-bed 

 will be repaid many times in profits received. 



Preparation of the plant-hed. 



The proper preparation of the plant-bed is very im- 

 portant for it is here in a comparatively small space 

 that plants are to be produced to set the whole or a 

 good part of the entire acreage. The plant-bed is the 

 medium of a very intensive form of production. If 

 the plants do not receive a good start in life, their 

 growth will be greatly hampered. Therefore, no pains 

 should be spared in preparing the plant-bed in the most 

 thorough manner consistent with economy. The kind 



