144 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
single shovel plow, provided it is operated by a competent 
man. The making of straight rows without a line, espe- 
cially on uneven ground, requires considerable skill. 
206. Depth to transplant. — Plants should generally be 
set slightly deeper than they stood in the seed bed. It is 
often an advantage to cover the stem 
up to the seed leaves. It is especially 
important to set spindly plants deep, 
especially when there is danger of 
freezing weather. In the South fall- 
set cabbage plants should always be 
planted up to the leaves, as this will 
enable them to stand the winter with 
much less damage than if set shal- 
lower. 
207. Transplanting by hand. — Vari- 
ous devices are used for hand trans- 
planting. The usual tools are the 
dibbers and the trowels, illustrated in 
Figures 33 and 34. The dibbers are 
especially valuable for light or sandy 
soils, while the trowel is best for stiffer 
soils. When transplanting the dibber 
is thrust into the soil to the required 
depth with the right hand, and after 
removal the left hand places the plant 
in the hole. The soil is either pressed 
to the roots with the hands, or the dibber is again thrust 
into the soil near the plant, and with a quick movement 
the soil is pressed against the roots. Trowels and spades 
may be used in a similar manner, and trowels and hoes 
may be used in opening holes immediately before plant- 
ing. The removed ground should be pressed firmly over 
and around the roots. Figure 35 shows a useful setter, 
which has been patented; it works very well in fine soil, 
and applies water when desired. After some practice, 
FIG. 35. USEFUL 
PLANT SETTER 
