CHAPTER XXXVII 



TRANSPLANTING 



Transplanting is needed with most plants raised in the 

 house or the frames, and is also needed with some which, 

 growing in the open garden, are so plentiful that they can 

 be lifted and set elsewhere. Transplanting is not difficult 

 if only the gardener will remember to water the plants well 

 before and after setting. 



Setting out from pots is very simple, and is not hard on 

 the plants. They should be freely watered two or three 

 hours beforehand, not merely so as to wet the earth, but so 

 that the plants themselves will be filled with water. This should 

 be done always in transplanting. Water the plants well, 

 therefore, and give them time to take the water in. The 

 rest of the transplanting is merely like repotting, but is 

 simpler. Tip up the pot, holding the fingers across its top. 

 Tap on the bottom, and the plant should fall against the 

 fingers. Remove the pot, and if the roots are very numer- 

 ous and crowded, loosen them a little. Then set the ball 

 of earth in the ground at the right spot, pressing the earth 

 firmly around it. Water it once more, then mulch and 

 leave it. 



One thing remember in all the work of transplanting : 

 Press the earth firmly around the plant, but not too firmly. 

 The roots must not be injured, nor should the earth be 

 packed so tight that the roots cannot spread. 



Transplanting from a pot is practically sure to succeed, be- 



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