CHAPTER XV 

 TRANSPLANTING 



202. Reasons for transplanting. — There are many im- 

 portant reasons for transplanting: (i) Some crops can be 

 matured much earlier by starting the plants in hotbeds 

 or greenhouses, transplanting in about a month and 

 finally setting in the open ground. (2) Operations are 

 concentrated. It is much less expensive to combat weeds, 

 insects and diseases on a very small area than in a large 

 field. Then, again, it is less expensive to water and to 

 give the plants the necessary care when coniined to a 

 small plat. (3) On small areas ideal conditions can be 

 provided for the growing of delicate plants that require 

 nursing. (4) The ground to be used is often occupied 

 with another crop, hence the necessity of growing plants 

 elsewhere and of having them ready at the proper time. 

 (5) A more ramified root system is developed. In lifting 

 the plants, some of the small, tender roots are broken, 

 and branching occurs to a greater extent. Severance of 

 the roots is therefore regarded as an advantage by many 

 practical gardeners. There are instances, of course, 

 where it is a decided disadvantage. (6) Some writers 

 claim that transplanting increases the earliness of certain 

 crops, which if frequently shifted produce their salable 

 parts sooner than if grown without transplanting. The 

 tomato is a notable example. The theory is, that a fre- 

 quent disturbance of the root system induces fruitful- 

 ness and hastens maturity. 



Transplanting may or may not be a severe operation. 

 When plants are pulled, and stripped of all soil and fine 

 roots, it is extremely severe and often results in the death 

 of the plants. If the shift is made with considerable soil 



139 



