62 Market Gardening. 



growing rapicll}', it will be proper to cultivate deeper 

 and nearer to the plants than at a later stage, when 

 growth is not so rapid. At the later stage, such active 

 cultivation would have a tendency to ripen off the 

 crop, rather than promote its growth. 



During a dry season, or a period of extended drought, 

 the more frequently the soil is stirred around a growing 

 crop the better ; as the loosening up of the surface 

 soil will draw the moisture from below upwards, within 

 reach of the feeding roots of the plants, and thus en- 

 able them to absorb it. 



In the case of any crop planted in rows, it is a good 

 plan to stir the soil and cut down the weeds, im- 

 mediately after the plants come up, in the following 

 manner: Take an ordinary A harrow and remove the 

 front tooth ; then drive along each row of plants, keep- 

 ing it exactly between the horses and central to the 

 harrow. This harrowing will not disturb them in the 

 least, and just at this stage will promote their growth 

 surprisingly. The weeds of course will not be exter- 

 minated entirely, but their first early growth will be 

 effectually destroyed, and they will more easily be kept 

 under during the rest of the season. 



Parasitic insects and vegetable parasites (to which 

 latter class belong smut, blight, mildew, etc.) cause 

 heavy losses and disappointments to all cultivators of 

 the land both on farms and in gardens. The more 

 thrifty the habit and condition of the plants, the less 

 will they be liable to such ravages. Thorough and 

 constant cultivation disturbs and destroys the larvae, 

 reinforces the plant, and enables it to withstand para- 



