* 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, or a mixture of build- 

 ers' sand and fine 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. 



Cover the seed box with a damp cloth or paper 

 until germination starts and place a pane of glass 



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 



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. 



* Transplanting 



Proper methods in setting the young plants out- 

 doors are just as important as good care while get- 

 ting them started indoors. 



1. It is 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. 



When seedlings are large enough to set out in the open 

 ground, dig a hole large 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 



* 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 . . . " is a 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. 



