EARLY CULTIVATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3527, 27 May 1905, Page 4

EARLY CULTIVATION.

It Maftnit Much Hard Work, Bat It Is Work That Pays for Itself More Than Twice Over. ■ With all cultivated crops it is the early cultivation that is the most important. The weeds are easiest killed when they first make their appearance above ground, and if the weeds can be kept down and the soil in good 1 tilth until the plants get well started 1 to growing it is much easier to maintain a good growth. One decided advantage in having the soil well prepared when the seed is planted is that it will bo possible to begin the cultivation earlier. In most cases when the cultivation is commenced in good season in the garden a sharp steel rake or prong-hoc, and, in the field, a good smoothing harrow will be found-thc best, and most economical implements, i’roperly used, they will destroy the weeds that may have started up ami al the same time will fine the soil and keep it in a good tilth. With all crops the cost.-of cultivating It quite,au item, unci when the condition of the soil will admit using them in no way can the weeds be killed out so efl v - '--""y arid flu- soil be so thorough' as when these implements are u. Then :;.,■ 't.; A roe : t- used, taking pains to work as close w the plants as possible. There is no advantage in working the soil deep. Thoroughly stir the surface, and « belter growth can be 1 secured than by stirring deep, while shallow cultivation is easier on man and team. Under ordinary conditions one good harrowing and three good cultivations should be given within the first six weeks of "brut growth. Once the plants get well started to growing, it is comparatively easy to keep them growing. — St. Louis Republic. ,