148 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
also to sprinkle the tops at this time, although in large 
commercial plantings this precaution is seldom taken. 
When setting in the field, the plants are usually protected 
trom the sun to keep the roots moist and to prevent 
unnecessary wilting; they should be planted in fresh 
soil as soon as possible after pulling. Clipping the tops 
before planting is a benefit with some crops, especially 
if the tops are large or the plants spindly. 
Field planting can be done very rapidly by boys when 
the force is properly organized. If the foreman is patient, 
boys can soon be taught to use dibbers or trowels. In 
heavy soils the following plan is satisfactory: Have a 
good foreman who understands boys, a man, a horse 
and a single light shovel plow to make furrows, which 
should not be opened faster than they are needed. A 
dozen boys make a convenient force. Let six of them 
drop plants and six set them. Designate the boys as 
droppers and planters, and give each a number, running 
from one to six. Have it understood that each boy is 
to drop or plant the row that corresponds with his num- 
ber. The foreman walks behind the boys and sees that 
the work is done properly and that the boys are kept 
together. With this plan of organization, a dozen boys 
and two men will plant 40,000 to 50,000 plants in a day. 
If the boys are paid $1 to $1.25 and the men $3, the cost 
an acre will be about $6. 
208. Watering. — As previously indicated, it is often an 
advantage to water ground before transplanting. This 
is not possible on most farms, so that good judgment and 
gr;at care must be exercised to conserve the proper 
amount of moisture by tillage operations. When plants 
are set during a protracted drouth it is sometimes neces- 
sary to use water in the holes. This is a tedious and ex- 
pensive operation when large areas are to be planted, and 
with good management it is seldom necessary. There 
are occasions, however, when it must be done to avoid 
