Cultivation 151 



The garden should not be cultivated just after a 

 rain or after being watered. If it is, the soil will 

 dry in lumps and the harm done to the plant 

 hardly be counteracted. 



Too much importance cannot be placed upon 

 cultivation of the garden. During dry weather 

 however, the cultivation should not exceed a depth 

 of two inches. Only the surface should be stirred 

 in order to form a "dust mulch. " This layer may 

 become dry but it will prevent the escape of moist- 

 ure through the pores of the soil. A layer of 

 manure, for a distance of ten or twelve inches 

 around certain vegetables, will be beneficial in 

 preserving moisture, but it should not be heavy 

 enough to exclude air, and it should not be put 

 on plants if it is going to over-enrich them. The 

 kind of manure should be suited to the plant. 



Certain vegetables which do not require much 

 heat, and do require moist soil, may be protected 

 by placing a board near them in such way as to cut 

 off the sun's rays. Stakes driven in the ground to 

 lean the board on will answer the purpose very 

 well. 



Manure, straw, leaves, boards, pine boughs, and 

 cloth may be used for covering to protect annuals 



