atden Success also depends on 
thorough cultivation and care 
Cover the seed box with a damp cloth or paper 
until germination starts and place a pane of glass 
over the top. Remove the paper or cloth as soon as 
the first sprouts break through the soil. Wipe off the 
glass when water collects on it from evaporation. 
This will prevent moisture from dripping on the little 
plants and perhaps causing “‘damping off.” 
During the day prop up one edge of the glass cov- 
ering for ventilation. 
Keep the seed box moist but not wet or water- 
logged. The best way to water is from beneath by 
setting the seed box in a pan of water or in shallow 
water in a sink. 
When seedlings are two or three inches high, they 
are ready to be transplanted, either to individual 
pots or out-of-doors. 
Fill a shallow box or flat with fine soil or builders’ 
sand and soil. Make shallow depressions with a 
straight-edged flat stick. Scatter the seed from the 
packet... not too thickly. Cover with soil and tamp 
down with the flat of the hand or a smooth board 
* Transplanting 
Proper methods in setting the young plants out- 
doors are just as important as good care while get- 
ting them started indoors. 
1. Itisa good plan to harden the young plants to 
outdoor conditions by setting the boxes outside in 
good weather for several days before transplanting. 
2. Either choose a day that is cool and cloudy, or 
do the transplanting in the afternoon. 
3. Water the plants well before disturbing them. 
4. Avoid injuty to the roots in taking up the 
plants, and if possible keep a ball of earth around 
them until they are set in the open. 
5. Water the soil before and after setting the 
plants. If the soil is very dry, partly fill each hole 
with water before setting the plants. 
6. Firm the soil around the roots of the plants so 
that they can take hold securely. 
7. The plants will get a quicker and better start 
When seedlings are large enough to set out in the open 
ground, dig a hole wide enough and deep enough to 
receive the roots of the plant without crowding. Fill 
the hole about half full of water before setting the plant. 
Firm the soil around the roots 
if they are shaded from the direct rays of the sun 
for a few days after transplanting. 
* Cultivating 
Stirring the surface soil of the open ground during 
the period of growth kills weeds, loosens the soil so 
as to encourage root development, allows air to enter, 
and helps to conserve moisture. Cultivation may be 
deep at first, but as the plants grow it should be more 
shallow to avoid injury to the roots. 
* Watering 
When plants need artificial watering, the best hours 
of the day for it are early morning or evening. The 
roots, however, may be watered at any time. One 
good soaking is better than many light sprinklings. 
* Keeping the garden healthy 
1. Spray and dust with reliable insecticides as soon 
as there is the least suspicion that insect pests may 
be at hand. Do not give them a chance to get a foot- 
hold. ‘“‘An ounce of prevention...’ isa safe maxim 
to follow. 
2. In fall, remove and burn all rubbish in the gar- 
den. Many insect eggs may thus be destroyed that 
would otherwise be harbored over winter. 
3. If you have had unsatisfactory results because 
of certain plant diseases, try some of the new strains 
of flowers and vegetables that are resistant to dis- 
ease. You will find many disease-resistant strains 
listed in this Guide. 
