MANURING AND PREPARING THE SOIL 



Sometimes a double application of manure 

 is used, and then the newer manure may- 

 be plowed in the fall 6 to 7 inches deep, 

 and in the springtime the older manure 

 may be applied, "followed by back-furrowing 

 to the depth of 4 inches. This ''fits" the 

 garden very finely. 



SMOOTHING OR RAKING 



If the garden is spring plowed or harrowed 

 and planting begins immediately, the 

 smoothing can take place just previous to 

 planting. The rake is a very good imple- 

 ment with which to do the smoothing. 

 However, if the garden is large, a cutaway 

 harrow should be used, first to break the 

 coarser lumps, and then followed by a finer 

 tooth harrow, such as the spike tooth or 

 the spring tooth, and then with a Meeker 

 or a hand rake. 



On a small garden, the rake is the only 

 tool necessary. The raking will break the 

 coarser lumps, remove coarser particles, and 

 leave the land level and fine. If back- 

 furrowing is practiced in the springtime, 



15 



