TILLAGE AND DRAINAGE. 43 



keep it in that condition) to lessen loss of moisture by capillarity and 

 evaporation, by weed-growth and by too free entrance of dry air 

 to soil spaces. 



To pursue all these purposes in detail, and the means for atttaining 

 them, would lead to a recital of the theory of tillage and the in- 

 troduction of an implement catalogue both of which are readily 

 obtained elsewhere, and both of which are earnestly commended 

 because there is much profit in the individual thinking which they 

 promote. To know the effect which you desire to secure in the soil, 

 to recognize the condition which secures that effect and to possess the 

 tool with which you can best secure that condition these constitute a 

 concrete mastery of tillage which one need never expect to manifest 

 in his garden until after he has developed it in his own head by 

 close watching and hard thinking, about the soil and the particular 

 tools which best meet its varying conditions. Therefore no general 

 exposition of tillage is undertaken in this place, nor will there be 

 special prescription of implements. The suggestion of conditions in 

 various relations of tillage which are discussed, will, it is hoped, be 

 helpful toward the mastery indicated. Particular references will be 

 found in the chapter relating to the work for the various months. 

 The mulch as an adjunct to tillage will also be considered in that 

 connection. 



DRAINAGE. 



Such free use of water as has been urged is always safer and more 

 satisfactory if the soil is enabled to relieve itself of a surplus by 

 natural disposition through its own free lower strata or by outlet 

 through tiles laid at a depth of about three feet, according to methods 

 prescribed in all publications on the subject. It must however be 

 acknowledged that very few amateur's gardens in California are 

 underdrained and in most cases such expenditure as tiling requires 

 may be deferred and resorted to only if signs of real need are mani- 

 fested. In this respect of course California conditions are quite unlike 

 those of humid climates the soils being usually much deeper and 

 more loamy and the precipitation less. In the irrigated garden one 

 can escape the cost of drainage by watching closely and regulating the 

 application so that the soil does not become unduly wet. For this 

 purpose digging beneath the surface is desirable for it is possible to 

 have dry earth above and mud below a condition particularly in- 

 jurious to shrubs, trees and perennial vines; while herbaceous plants 

 may enjoy it hugely if one can judge by their size and bloom. 



