The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-03-01

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture.)
In most sections of the South 1t is
desirable to start plants of certain
crops before the danger Of frost has
passed. The simplest method of start
ing a limited number of plants is by
means of a shallow box in south win
dow of the dwelling. After the plants
appear, the box should be turned each
day, to prevent the plants drawing to-
ward the light. A more satisfactory
method of starting plants is by means
Of hotbeds or cold frames. A hotbed
Q feet by 9 feet will be large enough
for the average-sized garden and can
be constructed rather cheaply. In the
colder regions Of the South some form
Of heat should be supplied. Fresh ma.
nure from the horse stable will be
found satisfactory for this purpose.
Turn the manure two or three times
before placing 1t in the bed, In order
to make 1t uniform In composition and
mechanical condition. Make the exca-
walton for the bed about Is inches deep
and put in Is to Is inches of fresh
manure, packing It well by trampllng.
Arrange frame over the manure, so
the slope will be to the south. Place
4 or inches of good garden loan over
the manure and cover the frame with
a hotbed sash or heavy canvas, pre-
ferably the former. The manure will
heat quite rapidly for the first few
days. During that time ventilate the
bed frequently, to allow the gases to
escape and to lower the temperature,
The seeds should not be planted until
the temperature goes down to 80 de-
gress or So degrees #. After the seeds
have been planted, close attention
should be given to the watering and
ventilation of the bed. The soil should
never be allowed to dry out, but 1t
should not be kept water-soaked. Mols-
ture is necessary for the termination
Of the seed and for the growth Of the
plants, but an excess Of moisture
should be avoided. as 1t stimulates the
development Of diseases, especially
damping-off. Water should be applied
early enough in the day to allow the
plants to dry before night. Ventllate
the beds during the heated portion of
the day, but cover them in time to in
sure their warming up enough to pre-
vent chilling the plants during the
night.
In the lower South, cold frames may
be used instead of hotbeds, and can
vas or cotton cloth covers instead Of
glass. The illustration shows a type
of frame commonly used in the warm
er section of the South for starting
plants.
TransplantIng.
For the best results, plants started
In boxes, hotbeds, or cold frames
should be transplanted when they |
reach height Of l to 2 inches. Trans
planting tends to produce uniform,
stocky plants with a well-developed
root system. The seedlings may be
transplanted to boxes or to the hotbed
or cold frame, to stand about 2 inches
apart each way. Some growers trans
plant twice before setting In the open |
ground. Fig. 8 shows two celery |
plants from the same seeding. The
one at the left was transplanted, while
that at the right was allowed to re-
main in the seeded until time for
planting In the garden.
Hardening on.
Plants growing In a house, hotbed, or
cold frame should be hardened of be-
fore they are transplanted to the gar
den. This can be accomplished by ven
tilation and exposure to outdoor condi-
lions during the day In good weather.
II the plants are In hotbed or cold
frame, the covers may be removed dur
ing the day when the weather is good
and replaced toward nlghtfall. After
danger of frosts Is past the covers may
be left OF at night By the time the
plants are large enough to be trans
planted to the garden they should be
thoroughly accustomed to outdoor con-
ditions. Such plants usually with
stand the transfer to the garden with
little check and few losses.
Setting Plants In the Open Ground.
Before taking the plants from the
bed Il should be thoroughly watered
and the water allowed to soak into
the ground. This viii insure a portion
Of the soil adhering to the roots and
win prevent serious whiting or the
of growth. Take up the
plants with a lrowel or spade and pack
them In boxes or baskets In which to
carry them 10 the field.
The land should be In good condition
and everything should be ready for
quick operation when planting time ar
rives Marx of the rows or dig the
holes for the plants just before plant.
lar to prevent the drying Of the soil.
II possible. set the plants on a cloudy
day or Just before Eightfall. When