, cabbage and
peppers transplant beautifully; so do asters. I would not try to
transplant beets, radish or turnips. The reason is that these plants
have long tap roots. Usually a portion of the root is left in the ground
and the transplanted seedling has an injured root. So you either lose
it, or it does poorly.

"Beets may be allowed to grow thickly for a time. Then when the thinning
is done, the tender beet tops may be used for greens.

"Transplanting is a delicate operation. A trowel or a thin garden
marker, a can of water and dibber are the necessary tools for the
business. A cloudy day is a good thing to have on hand, also. If this is
impossible, place the sun behind a cloud. The little seedling should be
taken up with great care from its old home. A little soil should come
with the roots. This gives the little plant a home feeling in its new
quarters. The thin stick is often better to use than the trowel. If the
soil is watered a bit about the small plant, one is far more likely to
get the soil up with the roots.

"Now make the hole in the ground with the dibber just where you wish. A
motion, like that of a revolving top, is the one to use in working the
dibber. Water the hole. Drop a little soil in the bottom of the hole.
You see the dibber leaves an awkward little peak there at the bottom of
the hole. Water lodges there and stays. The tiny rootlets do not quite
reach into the bottom of the hole, and perhaps dangle in the water and
begin to decay. A little soil dropped in prevents all this. Now a little
plant goes in. Do not place it too low, nor too high in the hole. Have
the roots uncramped. Drop soil in gently and finally firm it all with
both hands.

"The sun must not shine too hotly for the first few days on these little
plants in their new home. They are not yet used to their surroundings
and must be coddled a bit if they are to do well.

"The remaining garden operations are weeding and constant cultivation. A
part of the work in the flower garden is close picking, if constant
bloom is wished.

"I have said nothing about how to plant different seeds because each of
you had tables to cover all of that.

"The object of this talk is to impress upon you the necessity for
careful preparation. Well-prepared soil, carefully handled tools and
plants are ways to success.

"Good tools, good seed, good hard work make for results such as will
satisfy your highest hopes. But it is not the result only that is w