Growing Flowers 187 



phere without having the sun streaming on them 

 and perhaps parching the leaves. 



Cultivation 



Some of the benefits derived from cultivation: 



It destroys weeds which eat up the plant food 

 in the earth. 



It breaks up the soil and gives the roots a chance 

 to push through without strain in their search for 

 food. 



It forms a dust mulch and prevents the evapora- 

 tion of moisture. 



It increases the amount of plant food and makes 

 the food more available to the plants. 



It warms the soil and permits more air to reach 

 the roots. 



It adds humus to the soil by plowing under the 

 manure or any grass or other vegetation growing 

 in the soil. 



So do not neglect to cultivate. One or all of 

 these benefits may be accorded to each plant. 



Once a week is not too often to cultivate the garden. 

 A garden should be cultivated after each rain or 

 after having been watered, never just before water- 

 ing, or the water will cause lumps to form. 



