Transplanting 



419 



than in the West. In fact, in the more arid parts of the 

 country it is usually discouraged, and it is recommended 

 that seeds be sown where the plants are to stand. 



The perfect time to transplant is just before a rain. 

 Just after a rain is also good, particularly if the weather 

 comes off cloudy. Cool and cloudy days should be chosen 

 if possible. When it is necessary to transplant in hot and 

 dry weather, the late afternoon or evening should be chosen, 

 that the plants may have time to straighten up in the 

 night. When, however, the land is thoroughly prepared 

 and the plants are well grown and not too large, there will 

 be little difficulty in transplanting throughout the day. 



If the season is very dry, the plants may be watered. It 

 is common practice to have a boy follow with a pail and 

 put a dipperful of water about each plant. Or, in larger 

 operations, a tank on wheels is drawn through the fields. 

 After the water soaks away, the dry loose earth should be 

 drawn about the plant to provide a surface mulch and to 

 prevent the soil from baking. In small gardens, it is prac- 

 ticable to shade the plants for a day or two by setting a 

 shingle or slate on the south side of them, letting it slant 

 over the plant. 



When transplanting, the plants must be kept away from 

 the sun when out of the ground, and they should also be 

 kept wet. It is nearly as important to wet the tops as 

 the roots. The roots are wet to prevent them from dying. 

 The tops are wet to prevent transpiration or evaporation 

 of moisture. Puddling, or dipping the roots in mud, is 

 sometimes advised as a protection, but it is less useful with 

 small plants than with trees, because the fine roots are 

 matted together by the operation. When transplanting 



