128 THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



to have some shallow boxes in which the seeds may be sown 

 quite thickly, to be transplanted as soon as they get one or 

 two true leaves. It is also very desirable to have these boxes 

 very near the window in order that the young seedlings may 

 be thrifty and stocky, on account of the abundance of air and 

 sunshine. 



One of the most important crops to start early in-doors is 

 the tomato. The seed may be sown to advantage even as 

 early as the middle of February, and the young seedlings, 

 when one or two true leaves have developed, may be trans- 

 ferred to three-inch paper flower-pots, where they will 

 continue to develop for many weeks. If they become 

 so large that the roots crowd in the pots before it is time 

 to plant them out-doors, they may be transferred to larger 

 pots to advantage. Whenever they are shifted from the 

 seed-bed to the paper pots, or from a smaller pot to a 

 larger one, it is desirable to set them deeper, in order that the 

 earth may surround the stem higher up, and thus lead to the 

 development of new roots from the portion of the stalk thus 

 covered. 



When the danger from frost is past out-doors, the tomato 

 plants may be placed in the open ground, being set so deep 

 that a considerable portion of the main stalk below the leaves 

 is covered with soil: this will lead to a greater root develop- 

 ment and, consequently, a more \'igorous growth. 



Another crop that is well worth while to plant in-doors is 

 the pepper. The seedlings of these may be grown in much 

 the same way as those of the tomato, although it may not be 

 so desirable to set the plant deeper in the soil at each trans- 

 planting, nor need the seeds be sown so early. 



One of the best crops for early planting is the onion. It 



