150 Cultivation 



and yet prevent the moisture from oozing forth. 

 The best time of the day for cultivating the 

 garden is early in the morning while the dew is 

 yet on the foliage. The air at this time is 

 very invigorating both for plants and people, 

 and aside from the great benefit to the plants, 

 the gardener will derive a vast amount of benefit 

 physically. 



Something to consider in the cultivation of the 

 garden is the kind of tool to use. A hoe of the 

 right size will be most appreciated; a large hoe 

 between rows, a small, sharp-bladed hoe for use 

 between plants, and a fork or trowel for the very 

 small, closely set vegetables. There is a right 

 angle and a wrong angle at which to hold the hoe. 

 That stoop of the shoulders from hoeing would not 

 exist if the correct tools were used and the correct 

 position assumed when holding them. There is 

 no more reason for gardening causing the shoulders 

 to droop than for gymnastic exercises, if the garde- 

 ner would but learn to hold himself correctly and 

 to use the proper implements while working. For 

 one who can work with the left arm, a change is 

 recommended, as this will prevent one from grow- 

 ing too fatigued, but at any rate a change in the 

 position of holding the tools can be practiced by 

 every one. 



