RAISING PLANTS FROM SEEDS 39 



their first two real leaves it is time to "prick 

 out" into other flats, prepared similarly to the 

 seed flat. 



Do not try to take each single seedling 

 from the seedbed. Take out a portion of 

 soil which has a number of seedlings in 

 it, lay it on its side and gently separate 

 the soil. 



The dibble is a very useful tool for this 

 purpose. It is made from a small piece 

 of wood one-fourth or three-eighths of an 

 inch square, or round, and about four inches 

 long. Make a tapering point — two inches 

 long — on one end; the other should be 

 drawn down to an edge. This latter will be 

 very useful in separating the plants and 

 firming the soil about the seedling when it 

 has been set in the new soil. 



Put the little plants in rows an inch or two 

 apart, water thoroughly, and shade for several 

 days from^ hot sun with newspapers. Do not 

 water again until the surface of the soil 

 begins to dry. Do not delay the pricking 

 off, do it just as soon as the little seedlings 

 can be handled, for they may all be lost by 

 "damping off, "or they may become drawn. 

 Should the seedlings begin to damp off 



