FEBRUARY: SECOND WEEK 41 



are up, it is best to do it by placing the box for half an hour 

 or so in a shallow pan of water. If this cannot be done use 

 a very fine spray, or water through a piece of moist burlap. 



As already explained, it is most important to keep the 

 surface of the soil from drying out until after the plants 

 are well started. To do this, a pane of glass or a sheet of 

 newspaper — preferably the glass — laid over the box, and 

 tilted up a little at one edge to admit fresh air, will prove 

 very helpful, as it will retain moisture that would other- 

 wise pass off into the air. Germination will be quickened 

 and strengthened if bottom heat can be given. For a 

 single flat or two the simple forcing device described on 

 page 340 will prove very helpful. 



As soon as the httle seedhngs are up they must be given 

 an abundance of Kght at all times, and they should have 

 ventilation every day that it is not too cold. Air should be 

 admitted so it will not blow directly upon the plants. The 

 soil should be watched carefully and watered as soon as it 

 begins to dry out, as indicated by its beginning to look 

 Hght and powdery on the surface. Subwatering, if it can 

 be used, is the best method to employ. A galvanized tin 

 tray may be made at small cost by any tinsmith or plumber. 

 This is made two to three inches larger in each direction 

 than the flats, which are set in it in enough water to satu- 

 rate the soil thoroughly without making it wet. 



How to Transplant Seedlings 



When a seedling begins to show its third true leaf it is 

 large enough to transplant. The little plants should always 

 be moved before they crowd one another. The flats for 

 transplanting should be prepared in much the same way 

 as those for the seed, except that a layer of heavier, richer 

 soil should be used, and a layer of old rotted manure should 

 be put in the bottom of each flat. If manure is not avail- 

 able two or three quarts of bone flour or bone flour and 

 tankage should be thoroughly mixed with each bushel of 

 soil used, preferably a week or two in advance. 



