64 PRINCIPLES OF GARDENING. [CH. II. 



moisture absorbed. This I demonstrated some years 

 since, and the reason is, ob^dously, because a hard 

 soil becomes heated by the sun's rays much more 

 rapidly than one with a loosened texture. The 

 latter is better permeated by the air, which is one 

 of the worst conductors of heat. I am glad to find 

 my opinions confinned by so practical and so intelli- 

 gent a man as Mr. Barnes, gardener to Lady Rolle, 

 at Bicton Gardens, DeA^onshire. He says, (Gard. 

 Mag. Sept. 1843,) " I do not agree with those who 

 tell us, one good weeding is worth two hoeings ; I 

 say, never weed any crop in which a hoe can be got 

 between the plants ; not so much for the sake of 

 destroying weeds and vermin, which must necessa- 

 rily be the case, if hoeing be done well, as for 

 increasing the porosity of the soil, to allow the 

 water and air to penetrate fi'eely through it. I am 

 well convinced, by long and close practice, that 

 oftentimes there is more benefit derived by crops 

 from keeping them well hoed, than there is from 

 the manure applied. Weeds, or no weeds, still I 

 keep Stirling the soil ; well knowing, from practice, 

 the very beneficial eff'ect which it has. 



" Baking the surface fine, I have almost wholly 

 dispensed with in eveiy department. By hoeing 

 with judgment and foresight, the surface can be left 

 even wholesome, and porous ; and three hoeings 

 can be accomplished to one hoeing and raking. 



