190 Growing Flowers 



During hot dry weather, the surface of the earth 

 only should be cultivated. To stir up the earth to a 

 depth of more than a couple of inches will only 

 bring to the hot dry air the moist soil below the 

 surface, which will very soon become dry. The 

 surface cultivation will prevent the escape of the 

 moisture in the earth below. 



Cultivation should not be given while the earth is 

 very wet. When wet earth is stirred up and left to 

 dry, hard lumps will form which exclude air and 

 through which tender roots cannot force their way. 

 When a handful of earth will crumble readily 

 between the fingers, it is in proper condition for 

 cultivation. 



Small plants should always be cultivated with a 

 fork, rather than with a hoe. The hoe will be 

 difficult to use in cultivating close to the plant, 

 while a fork will dig all around without danger of 

 injury to the plant or of chopping off the roots. 



Weeds 



Weeding should be done just as soon as the weeds 

 start, otherwise they will in a short while eat up 

 a great deal of the plant food which the flowers 

 need. 



