TRANSPLANTING 
147 
Previous to transplanting into the field, it is a great 
advantage to allow the plants to become dry a day or so 
before and then water thoroughly just before the shift 
is made. Late tomato plants, grown in the open ground, 
are sometimes pulled, allowed to wilt and then sprinkled 
before they are planted in the field. All plants should 
be lifted with care, retaining as much soil as possible. 
Figure 38 shows a cabbage plant removed from the flat. 
With such a body of compost adhering to the roots there 
will be little check in growth. The flats are distributed 
over the field at convenient intervals. Boys may be em- 
ployed to drop the plants. To remove them the flat is 
FIG. 38. CABBAGE PLANT READY 
FOR TRANSPLANTING 
placed on edge, lifted and jarred on the ground hard 
enough to make the soil or manure separate from the 
bottom of the flat. After taking out a plant or two in 
the corner, each may be removed with a liberal quantity 
of soil clinging to the roots. Puddling the roots, i. e., 
dipping them in thick, muddy water before planting is 
an advantage when they are stripped. It is an advantage 
