* Starting Plants Indoors 
Seedling plants may be grown successfully in spring 
in shallow boxes of soil placed in south or east win- 
dows. The preparation of the seed box is simple but 
it needs care. Whether it is a cigar box or larger 
“flat,’’ holes should be bored in the bottom—about 
six inches apart in larger boxes and about three 
inches apart in one of cigar box size. Over the bot- 
tom of the box spread pieces of broken flower pots or 
crockery, or small pebbles, then coarser soil, and last 
of all finely sifted garden soil. 
Firm the soil and sow the seed thinly in rows. The 
general rule for depth of planting is about four times 
the diameter of the seed. Thin sowing is economy. 
The tiny plants crowd each other when planted too 
thickly. 4 
Cover the seed box with a damp cloth or paper 
until germination starts and place a pane of glass 
In indoor planting, sow the seeds thinly in rows 
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. a 
- 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. 
* ‘l'ransplanting 
Proper methods in setting the young plants out- 
doors are just as important as good care while get- 
ting them started indoors. 
1. Itis a 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 injury 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 
if they are shaded from the direct rays of the sun 
for a few days after transplanting. 
J 
Thin the little plants if the stand is too thick 
* 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. 
