36 



BIGGLE GARDEN BOOK 



them to the seed-leaf, even though they were an inch 

 or two higher than this in the original seedbed. This 



about the plant to afford a surface mulch. In larger 

 operations a tank on wheels is drawn through the 

 fields * * * Transplanting machines drawn by horses 

 are now becoming popular for large-area practise, 

 and these are supplied with a watering device * * * 

 A quick man can transplant from 5,000 to 6,000 plants 

 in a day, if the soil is light and in good condition. 

 Ten acres of cabbage plants sometimes may be set 

 in a day by means of a horse machine." 



Other tools besides dibbers and horse machines 

 are often used in transplanting. For instance, straw- 

 berry plants are frequently set with a spade ; and 

 many gardeners mark out deep furrows for tomatoes, 

 etc., put manure and fertilizer where plants are to 

 go, mix it with the soil, and then set the plants with 

 the aid of a spade, trowel or hoe, and a boy or man 

 to carry the plants and hold them in place. (A pic- 

 ture in Chapter XIV shows how this method of 

 fertilizing tomatoes is done.) 



After the plants are set, always start the hoe or 

 cultivator and level the ground nicely. 



Outdoor Sowing of Seeds. — Now we have gotten 



THREE KINDS OF 

 DIBBERS 



deep planting holds the plants in 

 position and places the roots in 

 the moist and cool earth. Press 

 the earth firmly about the roots 

 and crown; this is very impor- 

 tant. If the ground and season 

 are very dry, have the boy fol- 

 low with a pail and put a dipper- 

 ful of water about each plant. 

 After the water soaks away, the 

 dry loose earth should be drawn 



