How to Grow Plants from Seeds 195 
and protecting them 
from hot sunlight pro- 
vides vigorous young 
plants for transplanting. 
Time required to 
grow seedlings for 
transplanting. To be 
most successful in grow- 
ing seedlings for trans- 
planting, the gardener 
must have plants of 
suitable size and hardi- 
ness ready for planting 
atthe proper time. The 
length of time required 
to bring plants to this 
condition differs for the 
various kinds of vegeta- 
bles and for the differ- 
Fic. 117. An outdoor seedbed. Such a 
ent varieties of each  seedbed is especially useful for starting 
leven Tt also ‘varies Tar seedlings for the autumn crops. 
a single variety according to the differences in the prep- 
aration and management of the window boxes, hotbeds, 
cold frames, or seed beds. The beginner can safely 
start the germination of seeds of cabbages, lettuce, and 
tomatoes from 5 to 6 weeks before the time for trans- 
planting to the garden. Peppers and eggplants are con- 
siderably slower in growth and require a longer time. 
Corn, beans, squashes, and melons grow very quickly 
if proper conditions are supplied; 2 or 3 weeks may be 
sufficient for these. 
