ADVANTAGES OF THOROUGH CULTIVATION. 195 



settled the ground, as it works much easier and is better for the plants. 

 Then cultivate after that until the middle of August as frequently as 

 the weeds show through the ground, or about once every ten days, 

 and if only cultivated with the wheel cultivator the ground will be 

 smooth and the work light. A man can cultivate two acres a day. 

 Use the hoe around the plants and in the rows where the cultivator 

 will not reach, but do not use the hoe between the rows, as the hoe is 

 apt to leave the surface in ridges, which allows the ground to dry worse 

 and makes harder work for the cultivator next time. 



The Dutch varieties sell better generally than the others and do 

 well in all parts of the state, but in the extreme western part of the 

 state they need irrigation. With irrigation they appear to do as well 

 there as in the eastern part of the state. An acre should yield from 

 three thousand to six thousand quarts. Market with the stems on, 

 either in baskets or boxes to suit your trade. They yield better on 

 rich moist land than they do on poor land, atid thorough cultivation is 

 necessary. 



The black Naples currant should be planted three feet apart in the row, 

 otherwise cultivate the same as the others. They yield well and sell well 

 to people from England and some other parts of Europe, but Americans, 

 as a rule, do not like them. The native currants of western Nebraska 

 and eastern Wyoming are very hardy, and where they have sufficient 

 moisture are prolific, and where other fruits are scarce will pay to 

 cultivate in a limited way. They should be planted three feet apart 

 in the rows and the rows seven feet apart. They have lobed leaves, 

 yellow blossoms, and by using care they may be had of either black 

 or yellow varieties. There are other varieties of the wild currant in 

 the state, but as far as my experience goes they are not worthy of cul- 

 tivation. 



ADVANTAGES OF THOROUGH CULTIVATION. 



D. U. REED. 



[Read at the summer meeting, 1895.] 



It will not be expected that in tiiis short paper all the benefits of 

 thorough cultivation will be answered. Thorough cultivation in- 

 cludes thorough preparation of the land to be used. Duriug the four- 

 teen years of our sojourn in Gage county we have been engaged in 



