34 Teuok Growing in the South. 



TKANSPLAJSTTING. 



In all sections of the South, transplanting of tomatoes 

 and eggplant into cold frames is advisable. It not only 

 enables one to get in the crop earlier, but insures the 

 plant against dying, and nearly always enables the grower 

 to produce a better crop. It is not so important that sweet, 

 peppers be transplanted, as they produce a heavy root 

 even where they are grown thick in the bed, but to insure 

 good roots slow growth and well aerated soil are required. 

 The distance given plants in transplanting depends upon 

 the length of time plants are to remain in the bed, and 

 whether thoy are to be taken up without loosing the dirt 

 ]'iom their roots. In the latter case 5x5 is a good dis- 

 tance, and care should be taken to have all sticks and trash 

 out of the transplanting bed, in order that the plants may 

 be taken out in squares' of dirt with a sharp butcher's 

 knife. This method of transplanting, however, is quite 

 expensive, except on a small scale. For field work I 

 would give the following directions. Prepare your trans- 

 planting bed the same as for the seed bed, except leave 

 out stable manure. Use about 1,000 pounds per acre of 

 good vegetable fertilizer, using no organic matter. Fer- 

 tilize broadcast and stir in well with cultivator, allowing 

 the bed to remain ten- days before transplanting, then open 

 a furrow with a sharp pointed tool the entire length of 

 the bed. Have furrows seven inches apart. Open one 

 furrow, place plant roots in bottom of furrows two inches 

 apart, and put in just enough dirt to cover the roots. Then 

 pour in enough water to soak the roots well, covering them 

 with wet dirt. Then fill the furrow and open another 



